First Tasmanian case of coronavirus confirmed in Launceston

Tasmania has recorded its first confirmed case of coronavirus after a man tested positive in Launceston.

TASMANIA has recorded its first confirmed case of coronavirus after a man tested positive in Launceston.

The 40-year-old man touched down in the state on Saturday via Malaysia and Melbourne from Iran, a recent hotbed for the virus outside of China.

Premier Peter Gutwein, Minister for Health Sarah Courtney and Director of Public Health Mark Veitch provided a coronavirus update at 3.30pm.

Ms Courtney said the man had been self isolating and sought advice from public health.

“When he went to the LGH for testing he did present wearing a mask, so he has followed all the advice that is necessary,” she said.

“I want to be very clear that a public health emergency has not been declared and Tasmanians are at low risk.

“With regards to our preparations in Tasmania, we are very well prepared.

“We have demonstrated as a government that we can do this. We’ve done this in the past in 2009, in relation to swine flu.

“We do have capacity, and we do have experience.”

Dr Veitch said the man rang the public health hotline after realising he had a mild cough and fever.

“We took his call very seriously because we know that even though he had mild symptoms, he had come from a place where we currently know that coronavirus is very common,” Dr Veitch said.

“He was tested at Launceston hospital and then went back to his residence, where he was able to stay quite safely until the result came through today.

“The test was conducted at the Hobart hospital today and that returned a positive result.”

Dr Veitch said the man was only “very mildly unwell” but would be provided with clinical monitoring and support at the LGH.

“Our initial understanding is that he had very little movement through Launceston in between the airport and reaching his residents, so we don’t believe that there’s any wider risk to the Launceston community,” he said.

The man is being interviewed about his movements since leaving Iran, with particular attention to be paid to his flight into Launceston.

More to come …