Queensland has confirmed 50 new coronavirus cases across the state, including patients in Townsville and Cairns, taking the state's total to 144.

Key points: Contact tracing is underway for all of the 50 new cases

Contact tracing is underway for all of the 50 new cases They include the first case recorded in Cairns

They include the first case recorded in Cairns Dr Young says they are seeing evidence of community transmission on the Gold Coast

Queensland Health said the latest cases were split evenly between male and female patients, with ages ranging from one to 79.

Health Minister Steven Miles said the surge in infections includes 32 in Brisbane, 12 on the Gold Coast, as well as new cases in Townsville and Cairns.

"It's the biggest increase we've seen in a single day's reporting and has greatly increased the important work of our public health teams as they isolate, trace and quarantine people," he said.

Contact tracing is underway for all 50 cases and Queensland Health said it would notify the community if any other public health alerts were required.

Chief health officer Dr Jeannette Young said authorities were "starting to see some early evidence of some community transmission on the Gold Coast".

"Which we've always expected because that's where the first cases were," she said.

Dr Young implored all health care and aged care workers who noticed fever and respiratory symptoms to stay home and get tested.

She said while children were being infected by coronavirus, she said they tended to get a "very mild disease".

"We know from the evidence overseas it tends to be adults giving it to children in family groups … which is totally different to the flu," she said.

Dr Young says they are seeing evidence of community transmission on the Gold Coast. ( AAP: Glenn Hunt )

"Which is why we're not recommending at this stage that there's any need to close schools.

"We've had tiny babies get it and they're not getting severe disease, they're not getting adverse complications from it."

A Queensland University of Technology (QUT) student was among the latest group to test positive.

In a statement, QUT said the business school student was on the Gardens Point campus on March 13.

It said Queensland Health had advised contact with the student was considered casual and those who came in contact did not need to self-isolate.

Mr Miles said 27,000 COVID-19 tests had now been conducted across Queensland and there were currently 29 active "fever clinics" in the state's hospitals.

He condemned reports of abuse and violence towards community pharmacists and other staff.

"If you're unable to access the medicine, it's not the fault of the pharmacy or pharmacy assistant, please don't take your aggression out on them," he said.

"I would urge people to be kind and patient."

'Follow advice'

In a statement, Queensland Health said: "We understand members of the community may feel concerned and anxious. It's important for Queenslanders to remain calm and informed.

"Please follow the recommended advice from us and our federal counterparts in regards to social distancing, public gatherings and general wellbeing."

Queensland Parliament sat late into the night on Wednesday in an emergency sitting to bolster the state's laws in the wake of the coronavirus crisis, bringing in extensive public health control measures and the ability to suspend or postpone the upcoming council elections.

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Mr Miles acknowledged the new measures rushed through Parliament "might seem like draconian arrangements".

"But I am confident Queenslanders don't need to be threatened to do the right thing," he said.

"Most of the feedback I've had is people understand exactly the scale of the threat of this pandemic and they're accepting the advice of their chief health officers that these are appropriate measures to keep Queenslanders safe."

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Mr Miles said introducing social-distancing laws and practices as early as possible was "one of the most effective tools available".

"Of course, this will have an impact on people's lives and the economy and businesses, the result of it will be less people getting sick at any given time, which will mean less pressure on our hospitals … but also most crucially, the ability of our hospitals to save more lives," he said.

Individuals who defy orders from Queensland's top health officials could be fined $13,000.

"There are much higher fines for corporations — I think people will take that very seriously," he said.

"With regards to people who have been directed to stay at home, either in quarantine or self-isolation, they can also be forcibly detained over these laws."