NT Health defends response to first community coronavirus case as patient remains in stable condition

The NT Health Department has defended its decision to not initially inform the staff of a Darwin hotel where a coronavirus patient was staying, saying it was focused on isolating the man.

The NT Health Department has defended its decision to not initially inform the staff of a Darwin hotel where a coronavirus patient was staying, saying it was focused on isolating the patient. Pictured is NT deputy chief health officer Dr Dianne Stephens and Health Minister Natasha Fyles. Picture: Che Chorley

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THE NT Health Department has defended its decision to not initially inform the staff of a Darwin hotel where a coronavirus patient was staying, saying it was focused on isolating the man.

The 52-year-old NSW man remains in isolation at Royal Darwin Hospital and is in a stable condition after testing positive for a minor case of coronavirus on Wednesday.

NT deputy chief health officer Dr Dianne Stephens said informing Ramada Zen Quarters hadn’t been the priority but further support had been provided to the hotel since it was first informed about 2pm on Thursday.

“The NT Department of Health prioritised the isolation and management of the infected person to ensure his safety and limitation of exposure to the community,” she said.

“The hotel was contacted yesterday and both managers provided with all the support required including the publicly available fact sheets developed by the Commonwealth Department of Health for the tourist industry including the hotel industry.”

A pandemic clinic six weeks in the making can’t be opened earlier than Monday to ensure it is done so properly.

“It is important we get this right, so every precaution has been taken,” Dr Stephens said.

“Any further clinics will be set up as required.

“There are also contingency plans to create extra capacity if required.”

Dr Stephens said most people who had contracted coronavirus only had mild to moderate symptoms and did not require hospitalisation, and those feeling unwell should contact their GP.

But Stuart Park Surgery principal doctor David Welch said it was totally inappropriate to have suspect coronavirus cases in clinics, with one more attending his clinic on Friday.

“Their idea was to teach doctors but patients don’t know that as soon as they put a hand on the door, desk, the front office this virus may live,” he said.

“You’ve got coronavirus coming into a place where you’ve got congregations of unhealthy people.

“The whole point is containment not spread.”

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The partner of the man diagnosed with coronavirus, who was with him in Darwin, will be kept in quarantine for two weeks as a precaution.