Status: Active
Date issued: 2 March 2020 - (Update to Alert issued 25 February 2020)
Issued by: Dr Brett Sutton, Chief Health Officer, Victoria
Issued to: Clinicians and the Victorian public
Key messages
What's new:
- The department has confirmed its first case of COVID-19 in a returned traveller from Iran. They have a mild illness and are recovering in isolation at home.
- The case returned to Melbourne on Malindo Air flight OD177 from Bali arriving at 0600hrs on 28 February 2020. Any passengers on that flight who become unwell should seek medical attention and call ahead to let the doctor know they may have been exposed to COVID-19.
- The case definition has been updated to reflect the current situation.
- Additional border measures now include people who have been in, or transited through, Iran since 1 March 2020. People who have been in Iran in the last 14 day are required to self-isolate until 14 days after leaving Iran.
- A fourth Victorian passenger from the Diamond Princess has tested positive for COVID-19 and has been repatriated to Victoria to continue their care in isolation.
- There have now been 9 confirmed cases in Victoria, including the four Diamond Princess passengers.
- New South Wales has confirmed the first case of locally acquired COVID-19 in a person with no travel or contact with known cases. The case is a healthcare worker.
Additional key messages:
- Be alert for cases, take a travel history and advise suspected cases to isolate until you provide the result to your patient.
- Cases meeting the suspected case definition must be tested and notified to the department as soon as practicable by calling 1300 651 160, 24 hours a day.
- Clinicians may choose to test any patient, particularly returned travellers with acute respiratory infection if it is felt to be clinically necessary. Notification to the department is not necessary for these patients.
- People who have been in mainland China (excluding Hong Kong SAR, Macau and Taiwan) in the past 14 days are still required to self-isolate until 14 days after leaving China.
- Anyone who has been in close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 should also stay at home and avoid public settings until 14 days after their last contact.
- There is no requirement for people from countries other than mainland China and Iran to self-isolate if they are well.
- Stay informed of updates at https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/novelcoronavirus
Read the full alert: 2019-Coronavirus-disease (COVID-19) - Update - 2 March 2020
Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne.