Queenslanders have been reassured their efforts to contain the coronavirus are working, and will save lives, as new school arrangements cause problems and the economic outlook remains grim.

For the first time in more than a month, the overnight tally of confirmed COVID-19 cases remained unchanged, prompting Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to herald “the first day of zero”.

When the number of cases kept rising, it was feared the spread of the virus would accelerate, however a partial shut-down of the economy has prevented infected people coming into contact with others. The Queensland tally remains at 1,019, and the infection rate has also been kept low in other states, with NSW today reporting its best result in five weeks.

Palaszczuk today congratulated Queenslanders and said it appeared the restrictions and social-distancing measures were having the desired effect.

“I am so encouraged, Queensland is definitely flattening the curve, absolutely, definitely,” Palaszczuk told reporters during a regular briefing at Parliament House.

Health Minister Steven Miles said 20 people remained in hospital and seven in intensive care, all in south-east Queensland. There have been six deaths.

National Cabinet will tomorrow discuss whether some elective surgery and other hospital procedures can resume, at least for the time being, given the restrictions have held back an anticipated influx of COVID-19 patients. Any move to ease the restrictions is unlikely to occur until next month, and is expected to be staggered and differ by region.

“Of course, we’ve seen in other countries reductions to near zero levels of cases and then a second wave of infections so we need to be very cautious and we need to keep up our current approach,” Miles said of the restrictions and social distancing measures.

“But if we can sustain this then the end is in sight”.

The state’s Chief Health Officer, Jeannette Young, cautioned that some restrictions would need to remain in place to prevent a “bounce back” in the infection rate, as had occurred in some other countries.

Palaszczuk agreed, having only last week warned of possible tighter border controls to stop people bringing the disease back from known hotspots in Sydney and elsewhere. Queensland police have already stopped around 100,000 vehicles at the NSW border, turning 1,663 away and directing another 3,791 into quarantine.

The Premier called on Queenslanders to stay the course as students grappled with a shift to online learning – a policy that will be reviewed mid-term – and some complained of being unable to access services. She and Education Minister Grace Grace had foreshadowed teething problems and urged people to be patient.

While schools are open to children of essential workers, businesses continue to close down and major events and sporting competitions are in hiatus, with rental and welfare relief arrangements still to be finalised. The nation’s unemployment rate is expected to hit around 10 per cent, with tourism-focussed regions in Queensland likely to be among the hardest hit due to the additional impact of fewer flights.