NEW VIRUS CASE ON GOLD COAST
AUTHORITIES have confirmed a new case of the potentially deadly novel coronavirus has been found on the Gold Coast.
The patient is a 63-yearold woman who has returned from Iran and is in isolation at the Gold Coast University Hospital. Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young said contact tracing is under way.
“There have now been nine people in Queensland with COVID-19 including the three people from the Diamond Princess cruise ship,” she said.
AUTHORITIES have confirmed a new case of the potentially deadly novel coronavirus has been found on the Gold Coast.
The patient is a 63-year-old woman who has returned from Iran and is now in isolation at the Gold Coast University Hospital.
Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young said contact tracing was under way.
“There have now been nine people in Queensland with COVID-19 including the three people from the Diamond Princess cruise ship,” she said.
“If you have been overseas in the last 14 days and feel unwell please immediately see a doctor.
Please call ahead to the GP surgery or hospital to let them know you may be infected with the novel coronavirus.”
Health Minister Steven Miles said: “Queenslanders should be assured that our world-class hospitals and our fantastic public health staff are ensuring Queensland is very well prepared for a possible outbreak.”
Meanwhile, Australians have been told to put away the face masks and instead wash their hands more regularly, as state and federal health authorities roll out an emergency coronavirus plan.
As part of the plan, the federal government will shore up the supply of medicines and other necessities, as well as work on preparations for any major outbreak with aged care providers, GPs and specialists.
Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy said yesterday while new cases were expected, experience showed most cases were “very, very mild”.
“While we are preparing and we are realistic about what might come in the future weeks, we are not in a situation where anyone needs to be concerned,” he said.
“No one should go around wearing and wasting face masks.”
The emergency plan also includes another week-long extension of the ban on people entering Australia from China.