No coronavirus in Queenstown

Health officials say there are no cases of coronavirus in Queenstown, despite rumours gaining traction in the South Island tourist hot spot.

It was reported a hotel guest was suspected of having a case of the deadly virus, which has infected 2800 people and killed at least 80 in China.

A Ministry of Health spokeswoman confirmed yesterday that there were no cases of the virus in the Southern District Health Board area.

Southern DHB chief medical officer Dr Nigel Millar said it was not actively investigating any suspected cases.

‘‘Public Health units around New Zealand are actively monitoring for signs and symptoms of this disease.

‘‘On [Monday], it came to the attention of Public Health South that a group of tourists had been clinically assessed and the outcome was there was no risk of novel coronavirus infection.’’

Queenstown’s Rees Hotel posted on Facebook rumours of an outbreak of the virus at the hotel were ‘‘unfounded’’ and ‘‘untrue’’.

General manager Mark Rose told Stuff he heard the rumour through a closed Facebook group.

‘‘There’s not any one or anything at all. We’re as in the dark about it as you are.’’

Earlier, rumours on social media suggested a child flying into Christchurch had coronavirus but this was found to be incorrect.

Hundreds of passengers have been monitored for symptoms as they arrived in New Zealand.

The outbreak is believed to have emerged late last year from illegally traded wildlife at an animal market in Wuhan.