Department of Health
On Tuesday, 3 March in the afternoon a tourist checked into the Ramada Hotel.
He did not have any close encounters with staff or guests on the way to his room.
When informed of his friend testing positive for COVID-19 in Sydney, he immediately self-isolated, wore a mask outside the room and did not have any close encounters with staff or guests. He was tested by a GP clinic using full precautions for travel and testing.
He remained in his room until the results were ready and then moved with full protection in place to the Royal Darwin Hospital.
The gentleman implemented appropriate actions as directed by Department of Health advice.
Due to his responsible actions there is very little risk to other guests and staff contracting the virus who were at the Ramada Suites during his stay.
The room in which he stayed will remain closed off for a minimum of three weeks after which it will be thoroughly cleaned in line with cleaning and disinfection advice consistent with that of Department of Health and World Health Organisation (WHO) provided to Ramada Suites by the Public Health Unit Environmental Health.
There is no risk to the guests at the Ramada Suites of contracting the COVID-19 infection as a result of this gentlemen staying there. The Department of Health congratulates the Ramada Suites for its diligence in the response to this event and has every confidence in their procedures.
The Ramada Suites acknowledges that practising good hand and sneeze/cough hygiene is the best defence against most viruses and the Department of Health will continue to provide support and advice where necessary.
Ongoing advice to all public is to monitor your health and the health of family members and friends.
Maintain practising good hand and sneeze/cough hygiene as this is the best defence against most viruses.
If you develop symptoms within 14 days of being in a higher risk country, or within 14 days of contact with a confirmed case of coronavirus, you should seek urgent medical care.
