The Cairns Post

We can’t hang on for too long

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THE announceme­nt of a new active COVID-19 case in Cairns sounds terrible at first listen — and it is certainly not something to celebrate — but the devil is in the detail.

After hearing the scant facts we have been given, it becomes clear this “new” infection should not be used as grounds to keep travel shut down for an undue period.

It may be part of the reason, but it must not be waved around as the beall and end-all.

Here’s what we know.

This person, whoever it is, was in contact with someone from overseas who is known to have been carrying the disease.

Medical experts believe the case has passed its infectious period and the Premier herself says she is “not too concerned about that one”.

Presumably we will learn more details, and whether the person was in isolation during the entire contagious stage, when

Queensland’s chief medical officer Dr Jeannette Young delivers her update today.

With any luck, it will be a tale of social distancing working to a tee and there being no need for health authoritie­s to send a SWAT team of highly-trained infection specialist­s to track down movement within the community.

North Queensland is still just about the safest place in Australia.

Tourism operators have copped all they can from this long shutdown and are pleading with the government to pay attention and introduce a North Queensland travel bubble to allow free movement through the area.

Such a big decision should not be made half-cocked, but the numbers look good and we cannot hang on much longer.

Chris Calcino chris.calcino@news.com.au

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