The state’s third coronavirus patient studied at UTAS library before diagnosis

Tasmanians with coronavirus symptoms who have travelled to any overseas country can now be tested for the virus amid news the state’s third confirmed case spent time in South America.

A WOMAN in her 30s has been confirmed as the state’s third case of coronavirus.

On Thursday, Public Health director Mark Veitch said the woman had travelled from overseas and arrived in Hobart on Sunday night.

The woman had travelled to Tasmania from South America, with stopovers in New Zealand and Sydney, before arriving in Hobart on Sunday night aboard Jetstar flight JQ727.

Director of Public Health Doctor Mark Veitch speaks in relation to the third case of Coronavirus in Tasmania. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

Director of Public Health Mark Veitch said Public Health Services had a manifest from the flight and had been contacting people who had been in close contact with the woman.

“The people who were seated close to this person were seating in rows 13 to 17 on the plane. These close contacts will be required to self quarantine for 14 days and they’ll be daily followed up by Public Health Services staff,” he said.

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Dr Veitch said all other passengers on the flight were at low risk of contracting the virus, however they would be contacted and advised to ring the hotline should they feel unwell 14 days following the flight.

Prior to being tested, the woman attended the University of Tasmania’s Sandy Bay campus’ Morris Miller Library from 9.30am to 5.30pm on Monday and on Tuesday between 8.30am and 12.30pm, when she also visited Lazenbys.

Dr Veitch said anyone who was at the Sandy Bay UTAS campus on Monday who felt unwell should contact the hotline.

Tourists from two cruise ships walk along the docks. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

“The woman was tested on March 10 and remained in self-quarantine from then until she was diagnosed and transferred to hospital,” he said.

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“She identified that with the increase in spread of coronavirus around the world, even though she had not actually moved through countries internationally that were high risk places for coronavirus, she raised the possibility that this could be her diagnosis.

“We’re very grateful for her thinking about that.

“Most of the countries in South America are not reporting many cases for coronavirus at the moment.”

In an email to staff and students, University of Tasmania Vice-Chancellor Rufus Black said they had been informed of the woman’s movements around campus by the Public Health Services.

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“We appreciate an event like this naturally causes anxiety and that people will be wondering what the next steps might be,” he said.

“The University has a clear plan that when there is local transmission in Tasmania we will move to online delivery of teaching to the greatest extent possible, a model to rotate people to work from home where possible and careful management of those circumstances where people need to work on campus.”

Mr Veitch said there were a considerable number of tests being done now compared to the past few weeks, with the RHH doing two runs of tests daily.

“It certainly is something that a number of states around Australia are finding – the demand for testing is quite substantial and has increased,” he said.

Dr Veitch said in recognition of the widespread occurrence of the virus around the world, the recommendation was for anyone with respiratory illness two weeks after returning to Australia from anywhere overseas to be tested.

“We can’t really be certain that coronavirus isn’t anywhere now,” he said.

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Despite the symptoms being similar to those of the flu, Dr Veitch said there were a number of reasons the first few coronavirus patients were being hospitalised.

“It’s a very important thing for the hospital to manage these people, to make sure their processes are able to manage these people well and safely,” he said. “It also builds confidence for the staff managing these people.”

He said it was important for those suffering from the first few cases of the disease to be supported and safe in hospital.

“It is likely that should the disease become more common that there will be a move to manage people with very mild [symptoms] at home with support,” he said.

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