Elderly man in quarantine from the UK taken to RDH for treatment to pre-existing medical condition

A MAN who was on board the first repatriation flight to Darwin has been taken to Royal Darwin Hospital

A MAN in his 70s, who was in quarantine at Howard Springs has been taken to Royal Darwin Hospital for medical treatment.

The man was on board the first repatriation flight from London which touched down in Darwin on Friday.

Health Minister Natasha Fyles said the man was receiving treatment to pre-existing ailments, which were neither respiratory nor COVID-19 related.

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“There has been a gentleman, an elderly gentleman in his 70s with a pre existing medical condition that has been taken to Royal Darwin Hospital to be clinically assessed and we will work out his care options,” she said.

“He has been accompanied by his wife.”

Discussions are underway to repatriate the man to his home stateof New South Wales.

Ms Fyles said the man had been isolated in a negative pressure room at the hospital as a precaution.

“It is not COVID or respiratory related. It is a pre-existing medical condition,” she said.

So, in terms of that there’ll be clinical decisions whether he’s continued to be cared for there, whether he goes back to Howard Springs, whether he’s repatriated but he’s certainly getting the best of care, but to reassure Territorians and Australians that it is a pre-existing medical condition, not COVID.”

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It comes as 182 passenger on board a Qantas flight touched down in the Darwin today from Delhi India.

They have been taken to the Howard Springs Quarantine Facility where they will spend two weeks in quarantine.

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