Pandemic potential: Australia steps up response as outbreak spreads

Australia will send consular officials into China to help Aussies stuck in Hubei province as Health Minister Greg Hunt warnsmore Australians will contract the new coronavirus sweeping the globe, saying the virus has ‘pandemic potential’.

THE new coronavirus sweeping the globe is of “pandemic potential”, Health Minister Greg Hunt declared as he said new cases will be confirmed in Australia.

Border protection measures are being put in place to deal with an influx of Australians returning from China after Luna New Year celebrations.

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Medical workers in protective gear stand as a woman suspected of being ill with coronavirus waits to be seen at a community health station in Wuhan in central China's Hubei Province. (Chinatopix via AP)

The death toll for the disease has now hit more than 80 in China, where the epicentre of the disease has been locked down in Hubei province.

Australia will send consular officials into China to help Aussies stuck in Hubei province after it was locked down.

Up to 400 Australians are believed to still be in Hubei after Chinese authorities locked down the area in a bid to limit the spread of the new coronavirus.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison confirmed he had spoken with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to discuss ways the two countries could assist their citizens caught up in the event.

“The Australian Government, through our embassy, is looking to deploy, working with the Chinese Government consular officials into Hubei Province, into Wuhan,” Mr Morrison said.

“This is essential to assist us as we then consider the further options of support that we can provide to Australian citizens who are in Wuhan and in Hubei Province more broadly.”

Mr Morrison said the National Security Committee was continuing to meet every few days to discuss the outbreak and would sit again on Friday.

“We’re working closely with the states and territories and we’ll continue to do that to keep Australians safe,” he said.

“But I would encourage Australians to go about their business, to understand and listen to the advice that’s being received.”

Earlier, a press conference hosted by Ms Ardern was interrupted by her phone ringing.

“That’s PM Morrison just dialing in as we speak,” she said.

The World Health Organisation has held off declaring the outbreak a “pandemic of global significance”.

But Mr Hunt said it had “pandemic potential”, but Australia was well prepared to take all necessary measures to isolate any infected persons.

Health Minister Greg Hunt declared the new coronavirus to be of “pandemic potential”. Picture: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

“We have some of the strongest border protection measures in place around the world and we have biosecurity officials boarding all planes from China looking for symptoms,” he said.

“The Prime Minister has ordered all planes coming from China are boarded by security officials and that’s an extremely important measure.

“Every passenger is met with by biosecurity officials and not only are they provided with information, but there is a review of their symptoms and the situation.”

The National Security Committee met last night and is continuing to be briefed on the latest developments with the outbreak.

In this photo taken on January 25, 2020, medical staff wearing protective clothing arrive with a patient at the Wuhan Red Cross Hospital in Wuhan. (Photo by Hector RETAMAL / AFP)

Mr Hunt said he was confident more cases of the virus would be confirmed in the coming days, but authorities were prepared to test and isolate people who may be infected.

Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy said there was still no cause for concern for Australians at this stage.

“There is no human to human transmission of this virus (in Australia) … There is no need for the Australian public to wear masks,” Prof Murphy said.

“All of the cases that we’ve detected so far came here when there wasn’t major concern about the disease internationally.”

Prof Murphy said quarantining of people coming off flights in China and travel bans were not of public health value at the moment.

Chief Medical Officer Professor Brendan Murphy says there is still no need for the Australian public to be concerned or wearing masks in public. Picture: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

Everyone coming off a flight from China is receiving information in English and Mandarin about the need to report their travel history and if they have symptoms to declare themselves to a border security officer.