As of Saturday, Queensland has had 46 confirmed cases of COVID-19 coronavirus, a rise of 11 on the day before.
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The newest cases have been found in the Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and West Moreton (Ipswich) health areas and their ages range from 23 to 69.
There have been no further cases outside the South East since Friday's report on a case in Rockhampton and another in Kingaroy.
Queensland Health said all cases were isolated in appropriate accommodation to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and all were currently stable.
Contact tracing is still underway for these new cases. Public Health Units have been able to confirm the majority have travelled overseas or have had exposure to a confirmed case. Queensland Health will notify the community if any other public health alerts are required.
If you have been overseas in the past 14 days and feel unwell, please see a doctor immediately. Ensure you call ahead to your GP to let them know you're coming, so they can prepare and provide you with instructions.
Anyone with concerns can call 13HEALTH (13 43 25 84) or find up-to-date reliable information on the Queensland Health website at www.health.qld.gov.au/coronavirus.
With 238 people now infected across the nation, a letter from Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Health Minister Greg Hunt and Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy will run in newspapers across the country on Sunday, along with the latest information on COVID-19.
It urges people to wash their hands frequently, cover coughs and sneezes, and dispose of tissues, and avoid contact with others if they're feeling unwell.
"Australia has one of the best health systems in the world with some of the most dedicated and experienced health professionals," the letter reads.
"Containing the spread of an infection like COVID-19 comes down to every Australian playing their part by looking after their own hygiene, looking out for each other, and staying informed."
The government has created a new Coronavirus Business Liaison Unit in Treasury to engage with peak business groups on systemic issues relating to COVID-19 to ensure these are being addressed by Government.
It will be staffed by experienced officials drawn from agencies across the Australian Public Service and will work closely with the private sector.
It will also be a source of information for business groups and the actions agencies are taking to support business at this difficult time.
The federal government is set to ban mass gatherings of 500 or more from Monday but there is no word yet on the status of schools, but Mount Isa races proceeded as normal on Saturday.
Mount Isa City Council said at this stage all its events would go ahead as planned "until further information from Queensland Health".
Many doctors including one from Cloncurry have recommended people practice social isolation to "flatten the curve" of admissions to hospital with the disease.
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Derek Barry
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
