UTas welcomed 4000 Chinese students last year and is working with health authorities to mitigate coronavirus spread

UTAS is preparing to welcome students from China in the in the lead-up to the first semester and is working closely with health authorities to ensure the ‘safety and wellness’ of students.

THE University of Tasmania says it is working closely with health authorities to monitor the risk of coronavirus.

UTAS is preparing to welcome students from China in the coming weeks in the lead-up to the start of first semester in late February.

Last year, UTAS had more than 4000 international students enrolled from China.

University of Tasmania safety and wellbeing director, Chris Arnold, said the university had been monitoring reports of coronavirus which originated in the central Chinese city of Wuhan.

“We are working closely with and following the advice of health authorities to ensure we are ready to uphold our commitment to the safety and wellness of our staff and students,’’ he said.

“This is a constantly changing situation. The University has plans and procedures to deal with the spread of illness.

“A team of senior leaders is meeting regularly to ensure our response is at an appropriate level for the circumstances.

“We have been communicating with the University community as developments occur.

“If students are experiencing any issues or challenges, we would ask them to contact us so we can make every effort to support them.”

A person walking through Sandy Bay's shopping district wearing a mask. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

Tasmania’s public health department is working with national health authorities in the response to manage the risk of coronavirus in Australia.

A Hobart man was cleared at the weekend of having the potentially deadly virus after being tested.

The man, in his 30s, had travelled earlier this month to Wuhan. The man was admitted to the Royal Hobart Hospital on Saturday after he contacted a GP and reported feeling unwell.

But the testing determined two common respiratory viruses to explain his symptoms, and he was discharged.

In China, the death toll from the virus has risen to more than 100, with more than 4000 cases confirmed across the country.

Across Australia, there has been five confirmed cases of coronavirus, four in New South Wales and one in Victoria.

A 21-year-old UNSW student became the fifth confirmed case after she tested positive on Monday.

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The woman flew into Sydney Airport on Thursday on the last Australian-bound direct flight out of the central Chinese city of Wuhan – the epicentre of the outbreak.

The student and three men who previously tested positive are being treated at Sydney’s Westmead Hospital.

All four people had either travelled to Wuhan or had contact with someone diagnosed with coronavirus in China.

A Melbourne man in his 50s was also diagnosed and is being treated at the Monash Medical Centre.

Symptoms of the virus include fever, cough, sore throat and shortness of breath.