More than 1000 people in home isolation in Queensland as part of coronavirus measures

More than 1000 people are in home isolation in Queensland as part of coronavirus measures, the state’s Chief Health Officer says – but so far, the number of positive results remains at five.

MORE than 1000 people in Queensland are in home isolation as part of measures to contain the coronavirus outbreak.

Queensland Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young said about 700 tests had been carried out in the state for the new virus, but so far, the number of positive results remained at five, all Chinese tourists. They are all listed as stable and are in quarantine in the Gold Coast University Hospital.

PACKER LODGE COULD BECOME CORONAVIRUS ISOLATION CENTRE

FIFTH CASE OF NOVEL CORONAVIRUS CONFIRMED IN QLD

Dr Young, in Cairns to assess the far north’s preparations to control the spread of the virus, if cases escalate, said she was extremely reassured by what she found.

Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young, in Cairns to assess the far north’s preparations for the novel coronavirus. Picture: Daniel Bateman

She said by next week, three pathology laboratories – two in Brisbane and one in Townsville – would be able to test for the novel coronavirus.

Most of the state’s tests for the new virus so far have been at Queensland Health’s Forensic and Scientific Services laboratory at Coopers Plains, in Brisbane’s southwest.

At least 900 people have died and about 40,000 others have been infected with the virus, mostly in China, since it emerged in December. But other countries are putting precautionary plans in place to limit transmission.

Queensland parents have been told to keep their children at home and away from schools, TAFE and childcare centres for 14 days after travelling to mainland China.

All Australian travellers returning from China since February 1 have also been told to self-isolate for two weeks.

The moves are part of precautions to restrict transmission of the virus, in case people who have travelled to China develop symptoms on their return.

“For anyone who has been in China in the last 14 days, and feels unwell, with any symptoms at all, please go and immediately see a doctor,” Dr Young said.

They should ring ahead to allow the general practice or emergency department to take measures to protect health workers and other patients.

Dr Young confirmed the Queensland Government was in talks for the setting up of temporary isolation centres, to be used if needed.

In a media statement, the Ramada Resort Kooralbyn Valley said it had reached an agreement with Queensland Health last Thursday to reserve its Packer Lodge as an isolation centre.

“Any movement in and out of the facility will be strictly controlled and enforceable by law as per the Notifiable Disease Act,” the statement said.

“After much consideration and deliberation by the resort management team, we are satisfied that the safety measures presented to us by Queensland Health and Queensland Police were thorough, detailed and meet all possible safety criteria.

“The resort management did not make the decision lightly, but someone has to do it to help out our fellow Australians in this challenging time.

“While the police are now in presence from time to time checking the Packer Lodge facility, there is no-one in isolation at Packer Lodge at the moment.”

Dr Young said she expected the isolation centres may not be necessary in Queensland.

“But in case we do, we’ll have them organised and available ahead of time,” she said.

As the Queensland economy is battered by restrictions on travel brought on by the new virus, the Kooralbyn resort said owner Peter Huang expected to have to put it on the market “very soon” or seek a “strategic partner”.

The resort’s statement said it may need to be sold “due to the extended historic drought, the bushfire surrounding the resort last year and the coronavirus this year losing 100 per cent of the inbound tourist groups from China”.