Coronavirus: overseas passengers told to get to a doctor if flu symptoms appear

Airline passengers who have returned to Australia in the past fortnight are being urged to see a GP if they have flu-like symptoms.

Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr. Jeannette Young said on Sunday that an outbreak was almost inevitable for her state. Picture: Brendan Radke

All overseas airline passengers who have returned to Australia in the past fortnight are being urged to seek medical advice if they are exhibiting flu-like symptoms, as Queensland health authorities flag a likely outbreak of the coronavirus to hit within weeks.

Officials took the drastic step on Sunday of telling anyone who had returned on an overseas flight to report to hospital or their doctor if they felt respiratory symptoms or fever. The state is testing more than 100 people each day for coronavirus.

Similar advice was issued in NSW but confined to passengers from high-risk countries, such as Iran, Cambodia, Hong Kong, ­Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Singapore, South Korea and Thailand. The advice was issued along with an update on the state’s latest diagnosis — a man in his 40s who began feeling ill after returning from Iran on February 22.

Officials said he did not develop symptoms until two days after his arrival, which meant he was not infectious while airborne. This ­negated the need to inform fellow passengers and crew members of a potential infection, official said.

A statement issued by NSW Health said the man developed symptoms last Monday and underwent tests after a period of self-isolation on Friday. Six people who came into contact with the man have also been quarantined, with two awaiting test results at Westmead Hospital.

“He was advised to be isolated at home while waiting for the test result, which was confirmed positive for COVID-19 late on 29 February,” NSW Health said.

A second NSW man, in his 50s, is being closely monitored based on preliminary laboratory results, with additional tests being conducted on Sunday. He remains in hospital.

There had been no other confirmed cases in NSW, officials said. Around the country, 26 people have been diagnosed.

Queensland’s Chief Health ­Officer Jeannette Young said on Sunday that an outbreak was almost inevitable for her state, and that anyone who had returned from an overseas flight should ­remain vigilant for symptoms, ­regardless of whether they had visited the most at-risk nations.

“I expect we’ll see an outbreak of the epidemic here in Queensland,” she said.

The state has tested 2700 ­people who have returned from China, and on Sunday committed to keeping operating theatres open over weekends and Easter during the peak flu season in case the virus struck at that time.

Health Minister Steven Miles said $20m would be committed to ensure this was possible. He said the money would pay for specialist outpatient appointments and ­operating theatres for elective surgery procedures.

“We know our hospitals and our ICUs will be very, very busy if a coronavirus outbreak occurs here in Queensland,” Mr Miles said. “Particularly if it occurs around our usual peak of activity, being the flu season through the middle of the year.”

A worker at a beauty salon who recently returned from Iran and tested positive for the virus is still being treated at Gold Coast University Hospital, however her clients had all been assessed and none has reported any symptoms, Dr Young said.

The Victorian government has recommended people who have travelled to China, Iran, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Singapore, South Korea or Thailand and have become unwell should seek medical advice and be tested for COVID-19.