Macquarie University lecturer tests positive to virus

A Macquarie University lecturer has tested positive for coronavirus after recently returning from Iran.

Macquarie University released a statement confirming the staff member became ill following their return from Iran. Picture: Virginia Young

A lecturer from Macquarie University’s Science and Engineering faculty has tested positive for coronavirus and is currently recovering in an isolation ward at Westmead Hospital.

The university released a statement confirming the staff member became ill following their return from Iran and took immediate steps to seek medical attention.

“Our staff member has not been present at Macquarie University’s campus since returning from Iran and has had no contact with either staff or students,” a spokesperson said in a statement.

There are currently 41 cases of the deadly virus in Australia – 15 in NSW, 11 in Queensland, nine in Victoria, three in South Australia and two in WA.

Earlier, a Queensland man who recently returned from Iran tested positive for coronavirus.

The 26-year-old man from Logan, south of Brisbane, is the 11th person with the virus in Queensland, including the three people from the Diamond Princess Cruise Ship.

The man is in a stable condition in isolation at Princess Alexandra Hospital.

The state’s tenth case was confirmed on Tuesday when a 20-year-old University of Queensland student from China tested positive.

He and his flatmate have been isolated in hospital.

Tests have been carried out to find out if the flatmate has the virus.

Meanwhile, paramedics were called to the University of Wollongong this morning after a student presented at the campus medical clinic with flu-like symptoms.

The student was taken to hospital to be tested to determine whether she had contracted COVID-19

It is unknown at this stage where she had been taken or if other students she had been in contact with have been notified.

It is unknown whether the student is a domestic or international student.

The university said if the student needs to be isolated while waiting for test results the University can provide “suitable accommodation available that meets NSW Health’s isolation requirements”.

With Charlie Peel, David Ross