NSW Health now has nine confirmed cases since the outbreak of COVID-19 began,with three new cases confirmed yesterday by Health Minister Brad Hazzard andChief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant.
Dr Chant urged people to ensure they are aware of the symptoms of COVID-19 and
seek immediate health assessment if symptoms develop, if they have returned fromcountries at risk including mainland China, Iran, Italy, South Korea, Japan,Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Hong Kong and Cambodia.
“One case recently travelled from Iran, and one was in close contact with anothercase who had travelled from Iran. The third case hadn’t travelled internationally inrecent weeks,” Dr Chant said.
The first new case, an adult male in his 30s, has been diagnosed with COVID-19following recent travel from Iran. The man has had relatively mild symptoms, afterarriving in Sydney from Iran via Malaysia on Saturday (29 February 2020). Hedeveloped symptoms and was tested at a local hospital.
He is being isolated in hospital after test results confirmed a positive result forCOVID-19
The second new case, a woman in her 40s, is a close relative of the fifth confirmedcase, a man who recently returned from Iran. She had been awaiting test results inhospital isolation.
The third new case is a man in his 50s. The man, a health care worker, is currentlybeing treated in Sydney’s Westmead Hospital and was tested after developingrespiratory symptoms. He has not travelled to any high risk countries in recentweeks.
This health care worker was not treating patients at Westmead as incorrectlyreported by some media outlets.
NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard said health authorities are following up furthercontacts of these newly confirmed cases in accordance with ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Guidelines.
“NSW Health staff are being vigilant in their efforts to continue testing suspectedcases and alert the public when they are confirmed. We continue to work closelywith Commonwealth Government agencies and monitor the developing internationalsituation,” Mr Hazzard said.
In relation to the confirmed case who arrived back into Australia on Qatar Airwaysflight QR 908, the airline has provided NSW Health with the passenger’s seat detailsand the names of the adjacent passengers.
The woman in her 50s had been in Iran and flew back to Sydney viaQatar, arriving on Sunday 23 February on Qatar Airways Flight QR 908. Shedeveloped symptoms the following day, and was tested for COVID on 29 Februaryafter presenting to a hospital emergency department.
Anyone on Qatar Airways flight QR908 from Qatar to Sydney that was scheduledto arrive at 6.45pm on Sunday 23 February should be on the alert for symptoms ofCOVID-19, which include fever, sore throat, cough, shortness of breath. If symptomsdevelop, people who were on that flight should isolate themselves straight away andcontact their GP or local emergency department.
The confirmed case was seated in SEAT 43H. NSW Health is urging all passengersseated adjacent, two rows immediately in front or behind this SEAT 43H to selfisolateand contact their local GP or Public Health Unit.
NSW Health will contact these passengers immediately once their email or phonenumbers have been provided by the relevant Federal Authority.
All travellers from Iran, as well as mainland China, must self-isolate for 14 days afterleaving the country.
Travellers from Iran should be particularly vigilant for symptoms as there has been arapid increase in COVID-19 activity there in recent days. The newly confirmed casesdemonstrate the importance of returning travellers knowing the symptoms of COVID-19, such as fever, cough, runny nose, or shortness of breath.
“Any travellers with these symptoms should isolate themselves from others, seekimmediate health advice and practise simple hygiene by covering their coughs andsneezes with a tissue or their elbow,” Dr Chant said.
As many respiratory infections are spread by hand to hand contact, it’s important towash your hands thoroughly and regularly throughout the day. “A pat on the backrather than a hand shake will help too,” Mr Hazzard said.
It is important people take action to keep their family and friends safe. Don’t be afraidto speak to your doctor if you have any symptoms.
Please call ahead to speak to your GP before visiting, or call healthdirect on 1800022 222. GPs can arrange testing, or if you are very unwell you can also call aheadbefore attending your local Emergency Department for assessment.
Health workers in NSW public hospitals and community-based GPs have beenissued advice to help them identify any cases and apply careful infection controlmeasures to prevent the spread of the COVID-19.
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