A Queensland health expert has warned that all Australians will eventually contract coronavirus.

However, University of Queensland professor Ian Mackay called for calm, insisting for most it will be no worse than a bad cold and certainly not life threatening.

“It doesn’t look like this virus is ever going to go back in its box… at some point in the coming months or years we’re all going to get infected,” he said.

South Korean army soldiers wearing protective suits spray disinfectant to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus on a street in Daegu, South Korea. Credit: AP

His comments came as health ministers prepared to gather in Melbourne on Friday to discuss how Australia will respond to the declaration of a global coronavirus pandemic.

The federal government has activated its coronavirus emergency response plan as it anticipates a World Health Organisation decision on a pandemic.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison says the risk of a global pandemic is “very much upon us” and it was best to start operating on that basis.

‘Surge capacity’

State and territory health ministers have been asked to show how they are prepared in terms of shoring up the supply of medical items such as masks and medicines and ensuring there is a “surge capacity” in hospitals.

The meeting comes as travel restrictions were extended for another week in order to limit the country’s exposure to COVID-19, as it is known.

As well, Australian Border Force is drawing up plans for extra measures at airports and shipping ports to ensure travellers suspected of having the virus can be quarantined or self-quarantined quickly and effectively.

The federal government has activated its coronavirus emergency response plan as it anticipates a World Health Organisation decision on a pandemic. File photo. Credit: Lisa Maree Williams / Getty Images

For the first time since the virus was identified, more new cases are being found outside China than inside the country.

But Morrison has urged Australians to go about their regular business.

“You can still go to the football, you can still go to the cricket, you can still go and play with your friends down the street, you can go off to the concert and you can go out for a Chinese meal,” Morrison said.

There are more than 81,300 people diagnosed with COVID-19 worldwide and 2770 recorded deaths.

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However, Hunt said there remains only 15 diagnosed cases within the Australian general public - all now cleared - and eight Diamond Princess cruise ship passengers being treated in their home states.

While there was speculation the ban might be eased for university students, Morrison said there would be no carve-outs.

Last week, the government lifted the ban on Year 11 and 12 students coming from China under strict rules.

The government is also taking advice from Treasury on possible measures to boost the economy, but Morrison said anything it does would be “targeted, modest and scalable”.

Australia’s response to coronavirus

23 confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Australia: 8 in Queensland; 4 in NSW; 7 in Victoria; 3 in South Australia; 1 in Western Australia

15 of these cases are reported to have recovered. The remaining cases are in a stable condition.

8 cases are passengers who were on the Diamond Princess repatriation flight from Japan. They have returned to their home states for medical treatment.

Across the world, there have been 81,310 confirmed cases and 2771 reported deaths

Of the confirmed cases reported globally, the case fatality rate is 3.4 per cent. The case fatality rate in countries and regions outside mainland China is 1.4 per cent

Australia’s travel restrictions have been extended for a further week

Foreign nationals - excluding permanent residents - who have been in mainland China will not be allowed to enter Australia for 14 days from the time they left mainland China

Australian citizens and permanent residents will still be able to enter, as will their immediate family members (spouses, legal guardians and dependents only)

People who have been in contact with someone confirmed to have coronavirus must self-isolate for 14 days from the time they were in contact with that person

Your questions answered

What is the coronavirus?

Coronaviruses are a group of viruses that can cause a range of symptoms including a runny nose, cough, sore throat and fever. Some are mild, such as the common cold, while others are more likely to lead to pneumonia.

The latest strain was discovered in the Chinese province of Wuhan.

How do you get coronavirus?

China says the virus is mutating and can be transmitted through human contact.

It’s primarily spread through a sick person coughing or sneezing on someone but a person could also become infected through contact with the virus particles on a surface, NSW Health warns.

What are coronavirus symptoms?

Symptoms include fever, cough and difficulty breathing. Most of those affected are older people and those with underlying health conditions.

How do you treat coronavirus?

As it stands, there is no vaccine for the virus and because it is new, humans have not been able to build immunity to it.

A group of Melbourne researchers have been tasked with finding a vaccine, while China is testing the HIV drug Aluvia as a treatment.

How do I protect myself from coronavirus?

WHO’s standard recommendations: