Health authorities admit two Devonport coronavirus cases have ‘unknown source of infection’

Health authorities admit they are stumped as to the source of infection of two coronavirus cases in the state’s North – but stopped short of declaring it amounts to community transmission.

THE cause of infection for two people diagnosed with coronavirus in Devonport remains unknown, but authorities have stopped short of saying it amounts to community transmission.

An investigation into the workplaces, social gatherings, living settings and movements of the two patients has been ongoing since late last week.

HARDLINE MEASURES FOR MARKET TO REMAIN OPEN

COLD FRONTS BRING GOOD WEATHER FOR QUARANTINE

Public Health Director Dr Mark Veitch said cross-checking of cruise ship passenger lists and emergency department records had also failed to shed any light on a possible source of infection.

“We haven’t been able to identify a particular setting where we can say with any confidence we think that either of these people caught their infection, nor do we have any links between the two cases,” he said.

“So we’ve really reached the point where we have to regard these two cases as having an unknown source of infection.”

Public Health Director Dr Mark Veitch at the daily Government coronavirus briefing Picture: RICHARD JUPE

But Dr Veitch stopped short of declaring this meant there was community transmission happening in the state.

“I don’t think we can substantiate that there is community transmission occurring,’’ he said.

“Community transmission really means you’ve got a network of transmissions that are on the go.

“And I think we’re a step short of actually being able to say that, but that’s why we’re looking harder for cases in that area to see if those sort of circumstances do exist now.”

Dr Veitch said surveillance was being undertaken through general practitioners in the Devonport area to test for coronavirus in people who have fever or respiratory symptoms.

Health authorities were also advising GPs around the state to consider testing people with symptoms who had travelled to that area.

The overwhelming majority of coronavirus cases diagnosed in Tasmania have been linked to overseas travel or travel on cruise ships.