Townsville parents warned as coronavirus detected in Australia

Townsville parents have been warned to keep an eye on signs and symptoms of the deadly Novel coronavirus that has killed more than 100 people.

Townsville parents have been warned to keep an eye on signs and symptoms of the deadly Novel coronavirus that has killed more than 100 people.

In a special message for parents, carers and staff, Ryan Catholic College principal David McNeale urged the school community to be aware of the risk that has moved to Australian shores.

“As you may be aware, health authorities across the nation are currently responding to the emergence in Australia of the Coronavirus that has emanated from China,” Mr McNeale wrote.

“I attach information from Queensland Health which includes advice that if children become sick (eg fever, flu-like symptoms, sore throat, headaches, breathing difficulties) after having recently had links to Wuhan or the Province of Hubei within China, or in contact with someone who is a confirmed case, they should present immediately to a doctor and not attend school while unwell.

“Our college always follows the advice of public health authorities in these circumstances and I would ask you to be especially aware of this current situation in the interest of public health.”

The Queensland Health fact sheet stated “much remains to be understood” about the new coronavirus, which was first identified in Wuhan, China in early January 2020 and has since seen confirmed cases in Australia.

Originally published as Townsville parents warned as coronavirus detected in Australia