VIRUS STRIKES
A THIRD Gold Coast case of the potentially deadly coronavirus has been confirmed as State Government urges more funding to save the city’s decimated tourism sector.
An eight-year-old Chinese national from Wuhan is in isolation at Gold Coast University Hospital, with health authorities confirming the new case last night.
It comes as State Tourism Minister Kate Jones urges more backing from Federal Government to save tourism.
AUTHORITIES have confirmed a third Gold Coast case of the potentially deadly coronavirus.
The patient is an eight-year-old boy, last night in isolation at the Gold Coast University Hospital.
He is a Chinese national of Wuhan, one of the nine in a tour group rushed to hospital late last week. A man, 44, and woman, 42, who were travelling with the boy were earlier confirmed to have the coronavirus on January 29 and January 30, respectively.
It is understood they were on Tiger Airways flight TT566 from Melbourne to Coolangatta on January 27. Health Authorities are working to trace any members of the public in close contact with the infected individuals.
All patients remain in a stable condition and further information will be provided by the Chief Health Officer today.
The new case comes as State Tourism Minister Kate Jones urged the Commonwealth to match State Government’s $2 million to save Gold Coast tourism from the coronavirus impact.
Ms Jones and Gold Coastbased Labor Senator Murray Watt yesterday called for Federal Government to urgently back Tourism Queensland’s campaign for Aussies to holiday at home.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk in State Parliament briefed all MPs and intends to stage industry briefings today on coronvirus disaster management.
Ms Jones told Parliament Ms Palaszczuk had written to the Prime Minister urging disaster relief funding for tourism operators and businesses already seeing thousands of cancellations.
“This is a national issue. Australia needs a consistent and strong national response,” Ms Jones said. “In Queensland, we have a new multi-million-dollar campaign encouraging Australians and Queenslanders to holiday at home to offset some impact.
“This package is an immediate shot in the arm for tourism operators, specifically targeting Sydney, Melbourne and the lucrative drive tourism sector.”
Ms Jones revealed state agency Tourism and Events Queensland had also boosted marketing in key international markets outside of China such as the US, UK, Europe, Japan and Korea.
“We know one in three jobs in the Whitsundays relies on tourism, one in five in Cairns and one in seven on the Gold Coast.
“How we handle this crisis will have long-term ramifications for our economy.”
Her plea comes after Destination Gold Coast CEO Annaliese Battista said State Government was not doing enough for tourism to combat the impact.
Destination Gold Coast estimates $5 million is needed.
Senator Watt said it was critical Federal Government matched the State funding: “The Queensland Government is responding with a big tourism campaign.”
LNP’s Federal Member for Moncrieff Angie Bell said it was disappointing to see Labor playing politics when Federal Government was implementing a $76 million tourism recovery fund.