A man who travelled with three people who have been confirmed to have coronavirus has become the fourth person in Queensland to be diagnosed with the virus.
The 37-year-old Chinese man from Wuhan - the epicentre of the virus - was travelling in a tour group with a 44-year-old man, 42-year-old woman and an eight-year-old boy who have been diagnosed with the virus in Queensland.
Queensland Health on Wednesday night said all four people are in a stable condition in Gold Coast University Hospital.
Five other people who were a part of their tour group also remain in isolation in the same hospital.
A sign on display in the airport arrival hall on Christmas Island. Source: AAP
It comes as coronavirus testing will be expanded in Queensland with private pathologists now authorised to collect samples from anyone who may have been exposed.
Pathologists across the state will send samples to be tested by Forensic and Scientific Services in Brisbane, Health Minister Steven Miles told parliament on Wednesday.
Testing is only effective once a patient has symptoms.
As of Wednesday morning, over 24,000 people across the globe had the virus, and 490 people had died.
Queensland's premier says the virus is taking an economic toll, and she's sparked a funding skirmish with Canberra.
"Our tourism industry is already suffering enormous losses because of cancelled bookings," Annastacia Palaszczuk told parliament.
"The fishing industry, higher education, farming are all naturally concerned."
Ms Palaszczuk wrote to Prime Minister Scott Morrison seeking disaster relief funding - used in the aftermath of fires, cyclones and floods - but the request was denied.
Disaster funding does not cover infectious disease outbreaks.
However, Ms Palaszczuk has told representatives of the state's agriculture, tourism, transport, aquaculture and resources industries she believes the virus's impact should be treated on par with natural disasters.
"So, we're in this together. All of you here, me, the government," she said.
