UPDATE:

The Douglas Shire's first confirmed cases of COVID-19 are believed to be from two Mossman residents who had recently returned from overseas where they contracted the virus.

The pair are being treated in isolation.

Queensland Health has now recorded 12 cases of COVID-19 across the Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service. If a health alert is required Queensland Health will notify the public.


EARLIER:

The Douglas Shire has recorded its first case of COVID-19 after two patients were sent from Mossman Hospital to Cairns Hospital yesterday.

Mossman Hospital has been testing people with symptoms who have recently travelled overseas or have had contact with someone who has, with any suspicious cases currently being transferred to Cairns Hospital.

Newsport has learnt this afternoon that the results of two patients sent to Cairns have now come back positive for COVID-19.

An official confirmation from Queensland Health is yet to be published, however, Queensland Health will notify the community if any other public health alerts are required.

There are currently 12 confirmed cases in the Cairns and Hinterland Health Service.

Queensland has 50 new confirmed cases of coronavirus today raising the state total to 493 according to the official Queensland Health tally.

Queensland Health said all Hospital and Health Services across the state have strategies and plans in place to respond to COVID-19 and ensure adequate supplies, equipment, staff and contingencies across all hospitals, including in the Douglas Shire.

“The community can rest assured that all necessary work is going on to best prepare for local outbreaks of COVID-19,” Queensland Health said.

The Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service (CHHHS), which includes Mossman Hospital, began preparing in January for the COVID-19 response across all of its hospitals.

The situation is rapidly evolving and CHHHS is involved in meetings every day at a state, regional and local level to coordinate the response and forward plan.

Queenslanders are reminded that they play an enormous role in controlling the spread of COVID-19.