Recently returned students told to stay away from school as possible case hits Launceston

Students recently returned from China are being asked to stay away from school as a second person in Tasmania is being tested for coronavirus.

A WOMAN in her 20s was being tested for the emerging pandemic coronavirus at Launceston General Hospital yesterday.

Director of Public Health, Mark Veitch, said the woman had reported feeling unwell after travelling from China recently.

“While coronavirus is not strongly suspected, health authorities are taking a precautionary approach,” Mr Veitch said.

“She is currently admitted to the LGH.”

A Hobart man in his 30s was cleared of the potentially deadly virus after he was admitted to the Royal Hobart Hospital on Saturday.

Health workers wearing protective gears spray disinfectant as part of efforts to prevent the spread of a new virus which originated in the Chinese city of Wuhan, at a bus terminal in Gwangju on January 28, 2020. (Photo by - / YONHAP / AFP)

He had travelled to the city of Wuhan in China’s Hubei Province, the origin of the virus, earlier this month.

The man had reported feeling unwell to a GP, but testing determined two common respiratory viruses were the cause of his symptoms and he was discharged.

Launceston Mayor Albert van Zetten said Launceston residents should continue to follow health updates from the State Director of Public Health, Dr Mark Veitch.

“It’s important to note that the advice is that the woman [being treated at LGH) is not strongly suspected of having the virus and that it is – at this stage – purely a precautionary measure.”

Premier Peter Gutwein said the possibility of the virus reaching Tasmania was a challenging issue, but the Government was well prepared.

“The Tasmanian government is viewing this matter seriously, but we’re approaching it responsibly and sensibly,” he said.

WUHAN, CHINA - JANUARY 28: (CHINA OUT) Hundreds of construction workers and heavy machinery build new hospitals to tackle the coronavirus on January 28, 2020 in Wuhan, China. Wuhan Huoshenshan hospital will be completed on February 2nd and put into use on February 5th, with the capacity of 1000 beds. (Photo by Getty Images)

“I’m confident that our public health system can cope with this.

“I’ve been briefed this morning by the Director of Public Health, who informs me that the whole of government approach that we’re taking, led by DPAC in concert with health and other agencies is the right approach.
“It’s an issue that the Tasmanian government has a plan for and importantly we will continue to work with our industry sectors to ensure that the impacts of the coronavirus are minimised and importantly, managed appropriately.”

As of Tuesday, the World Health Organisation (WHO) reported the virus had spread to 14 countries outside of China with 56 confirmed cases. Those countries included Australia, France, Thailand, Japan, South Korea and the USA.

Nearly all of those cases had reported travel to Hubei Province.

WHO also reported more than 4500 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in China including 106 deaths and almost 1000 cases deemed serious.

There were another 6973 suspected cases in China.

Clinical symptoms of the virus may include fever, cough, sore throat, nausea/vomiting, and difficulty breathing and can take up to 14 to show after a person has been infected.

WUHAN, CHINA - JANUARY 28: (CHINA OUT) Construction workers rest on building materials as new hospitals are built to tackle the coronavirus on January 28, 2020 in Wuhan, China. Wuhan Huoshenshan hospital will be completed on February 2nd and put into use on February 5th, with the capacity of 1000 beds. (Photo by Getty Images)

RECENTLY RETURNED STUDENTS TOLD TO STAY AWAY FROM SCHOOL

TASMANIAN students and school staff who have recently been in China’s Hubei Province are advised to not attend childcare or schools until 14 days after leaving the area in a bid to step the spread of the deadly coronavirus.

The recommendation from the State Government is in line with national advice.

The University of Tasmania is working closely with health authorities to ensure the ‘safety and wellness’ of students ahead of first semester beginning.

Currently there are no confirmed cases of the virus in Tasmania, which so far has killed 132 people in China.

The State Government recommended that people entering Tasmania from the Hubei Province be isolated in their home for 14 days, unless seeking medical care.

The Australian Government Department of Health has developed some important advice on coronavirus, available here. Information is updated frequently.

Tasmanian residents should continue to follow health updates from the State Director of Public Health, Dr Mark Veitch and the Australian Government.

It comes as a second person in Victoria has tested positive for the deadly coronavirus, with the national count rising to seven after Queensland confirmed its first case. The man tested positive in Victoria yesterday but doctors at the Monash Medical Centre assessed him as well enough to stay at home.