Woolworths shoppers at ‘low risk’ after patient zero’s shopping expedition

UPDATED: The man who was diagnosed with Tasmania’s first case of the deadly coronavirus went shopping for groceries while infected.

TASMANIA’S first coronavirus patient is revealed to have gone shopping for groceries while infected.

However, the state’s Director of Public Health said there was no need for panic as the 40-year-old only spent limited time in the store.

The man tested positive on Monday after travelling from Iran via Malaysia and Melbourne to Launceston on Saturday.

Dr Mark Veitch provides an update on coronavirus. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

Director of Public Health Mark Veitch said Public Health Services confirmed the man visited the Woolworths store on the corner of Wellington and York streets in Launceston on Sunday, for about 15 minutes about 10pm.

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“The risk to anyone who was at the supermarket at that time was very low. However, we think it’s appropriate to fully inform staff and any customers that were there,” he said. “Coronavirus is principally spread by droplets during prolonged face-to-face contact, and we define that as more than 15 minutes.

“It’s really very rarely spread by casual contact, and not from walking past people on the street or in the supermarket.”

Mr Veitch said there had been an increase in tests for the virus since the state’s first case had been confirmed.

“Partly because of the expanded geographic criteria for risk from coronavirus,” he said.

He said 13 tests were in the pipeline on Tuesday night.

As of Tuesday night, about 54 negative tests had been undertaken.

Mr Veitch said the majority of passengers from Virgin flight VA1368 from Melbourne had been contacted, with one or two reporting mild respiratory symptoms.

“We think they’re very unlikely to represent coronavirus infections because of the timing so close to being on the plane, but we’re nevertheless choosing to provide testing for those people to reassure them.”

Hobart GP and AMA member Robert Walters said it was good the man went shopping at night when there were fewer customers.

“What’s really important here is that we don’t panic,” he said. “People will think that he’s left a trail at Woolworths — this is just not the case. What we need to do is to manage this in a very calm and sensible way.”

Dr Walters advised those concerned they may have contracted the virus to ring their GP before heading out of the house.

“Certainly if you’ve travelled overseas you come into a high suspicion bracket,” he said.

“If you can’t get hold of your GP, you can ring the public health department.”

Dr Walters also advised those living in the same household as someone under investigation to simply be careful.

“Practice those normal measures you might when you have a cold,” he said.