Further information has been provided by SA Health’s Communicable Disease branch.
There is currently an outbreak of novel coronavirus occurring in Hubei Province, with cases also being reported in other parts of mainland China, and several other countries.
Four cases of novel coronavirus have been confirmed interstate (3 in New South Wales and 1 in Victoria) in persons who have recently returned from mainland China.
Novel coronavirus causes a respiratory illness. Symptoms may include: fever, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, and sore throat.
SA Health is working closely with Commonwealth and interstate health authorities to coordinate the Australian response to this incident.
There is no need to limit public gatherings and these can still safely take place as usual.
With many students returning to school in the next few days and university in the next few weeks the following guidance is provided.
School students and staff, even those with travel to Hubei Province, are able to return to school unless they are close contacts of a confirmed case of novel coronavirus, or they have symptoms consistent with novel coronavirus.
Students who are close contacts of a known case should contact the Communicable Disease Control Branch on 1300 232 272 in order to provide them with information and to permit monitoring of these people.
All students and staff who have travelled to mainland China especially Hubei Province should monitor themselves for the 14 days from their departure from mainland China for symptoms of novel coronavirus. Students and staff who develop symptoms should be isolated and reviewed by a doctor and the doctor informed of their travel history.
The Commonwealth Department of Health website has extensive material on this incident. Fact sheets developed for schools and universities are expected to be put on the website shortly. See www.health.gov.au
You will be kept updated if there is further information you need to know.
Jane Waltham
Principal