Coast almost virus free with one case

THE Gold Coast is close to being COVID-19 free for the first time in months with just one case – in isolation – still considered contagious.

Data shows there are two active cases of the potentially fatal disease on the Gold Coast but the Health Department confirmed one of the individuals, who is believed to be a man in his 70s, has since tested negative to the virus.

“The case is a long-term patient who is no longer infectious,” a spokesman for the department said.

The man, who contracted the disease on a cruise ship, has remained in the Gold Coast University Hospital due to complications from the infection for over a month.

The second case, which was added to the region’s tally this week, is a local nurse who contracted the virus while helping with efforts in Victoria.

It is understood the nurse returned home to the Gold

Coast this week and remains in isolation. Since January, 196 locals have recovered from the virus. The city has recorded no deaths.

In northern NSW, there are two active cases of the virus, both in the Byron Bay Shire. Queensland Health will issue public health alerts if there is any risk to the community.

MOTORISTS are enduring near two-hour delays at Gold Coast border checkpoints as closures to NSW and the ACT loom, while border residents still await exemption details.

Traffic was banked up for kilometres on the M1 at Tugun on Thursday, where delays of an hour and 45 minutes were being reported at the checkpoint.

Gold Coast police Chief Superintendent Mark Wheeler said the delay was 50 minutes but traffic was building steadily ahead of the closure of the border to NSW and ACT residents at 1am on Saturday.

Superintendent Wheeler said exemptions for border community residents were still being worked out and would be announced on Friday, but warned of “significant delays”.

“If you do not qualify for one of those passes, simply do not come to Queensland: do not try to enter Queensland because you’ll be turned around,” he warned. “If you’re a returning Queensland resident, you’re encouraged to come home immediately, come home straight away. Try and do it before 1am on Saturday.

“If you’ve come from the current declared hotspot of Greater Sydney or the state of Victoria, of course you will have to go into quarantine, which will be self-funded. But you’re better off coming home now.”

State disaster co-ordinator