Third COVID-19 death in Queensland as RNA prepped to take patients

A third Queenslander has died from COVID-19, as the state announces preparations for a worst-case scenario using a 100-year old plan of action.

The latest death was a 75-year-old woman who had been one of the passengers aboard the Ruby Princess cruise ship, where it’s believed she contracted the virus before guests were allowed to disembark in Sydney.

She was being treated in Caboolture Hospital and was understood to have also had underlying health issues that exacerbated her condition.

Family members of the woman were understood to have fallen unwell and were in isolation.

A man in his 80s from Victoria died in a Melbourne hospital, bringing the national death toll to 16.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk updates the media on the COVID-19 pandemic at the Royal International Convention Centre on Sunday

The latest deaths came as Queensland recorded 31 new cases of the virus, bringing the state total to 656.

“We know that we are going to continue to see the incidents happening, and I think everyone needs to realise this person has a family and friends and loved ones, it is indeed a tragedy,” Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said on Sunday.

Ms Palaszczuk welcomed the fact that the state’s number of new cases was lower than it had been for a number of days, while Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Sunday confirmed the trend was being reflected across the nation.

But the Premier said that didn’t mean the crisis was over, or that there would be a change in the government’s response in the short term.

“We are not out of the woods yet,” she said.

“It is encouraging that so many people in Queensland are doing the right thing, but I’d just remind everyone that this is a marathon.

"It's not a short race that we’re undertaking and it needs everyone to stay the distance.”

The Premier reiterated the ban on gatherings of more than 10 people in a house, saying there would be “no Easter holidays” this year and urging people not to visit relatives.

The state’s Chief Health Officer, Dr Jeannette Young, said she had the power to order gatherings of 10 or more to disperse but special dispensation would be made for people living with up to 10 under one roof.

Queensland's Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young says she has the power to break up family gatherings is people don't heed social distancing rules.

Dr Young said the number of cases would continue to rise but expected to see a flattening of the numbers in the next two weeks if everyone continued to practise social distancing.

“Although we have not got any significant transmission locally of COVID-19, we do know that it’s occurring in Sydney and to a lesser extent in Melbourne,” she said.

In line with new national rules, 86 people arrived in Brisbane from overseas after midnight on Saturday, sparking a mandatory quarantine for 14 days.

That will happen at two hotels near Brisbane airport, the Novotel and the Ibis. Dr Young said planning would ensure more hotels and facilities were available if those numbers grew.

Looking to the past to plan for the future

Queensland is set to take a leaf out of a 100-year-old playbook and convert Brisbane’s RNA showgrounds into a makeshift hospital if the number of COVID-19 cases overwhelmed hospitals.

Under the plan, the showground’s facilities, notably the relatively new Royal International Convention Centre, could be rapidly transformed into a makeshift hospital for COVID-19 patients.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk in one of the Royal International Convention centre's spaces which could be converted into makeshift hospitals, next to images of the RNA being used as a field hospital during the 1919 Spanish flu epidemic in Brisbane.

The Brisbane Convention Centre at South Bank is also being considered for this purpose as are a number of other sites around the state.

The plan is similar to one carried out in 1919 when the Spanish Flu epidemic reached Brisbane and the RNA site was used as a tent hospital for months.

Queensland Health Minister Steven Miles said authorities were planning now in the hope the measures wouldn't be needed.

“If we experience a severe or extreme outbreak then we have contingency plans in place to use spaces like this one,” Mr Miles said.

“Of course we hope it never comes to that, but it should give people confidence that we have plans in place for every single possible scenario.”

RNA General Manager Brenden Christou said the association was happy to be involved in the contingency plans.

“The facilities we have in 2020 are very different to what they were in 1918, and we can lend a hand if needed,” he said.

“We had to do something similar in 2011 running the flood evacuation centre so we are experienced in events like these, but let’s hope that’s not required."

Queensland has already announced $1.2 billion in extra funding for health services relating to the coronavirus response.