Health authorities in Tasmania say a man in Hobart who contracted coronavirus did not follow instructions to self-isolate, instead going to work at a major hotel.
Photo: AFP
The man in his 20s travelled from Nepal and transited through Singapore and Sydney before arriving in Hobart on 26 February, Tasmania's director of Public Health Services Mark Veitch said.
He experienced cold-like symptoms the day after his travels but continued to work and visit his vocational college.
The man worked several shifts at Hobart's Grand Chancellor Hotel last week and Dr Veitch said Public Health was working with the hotel to identify whether any colleagues would qualify as "close contacts" and require isolation.
He contacted a telephone hotline on 6 March after developing further symptoms and was tested at the Royal Hobart Hospital that evening.
Dr Veitch said the man was advised to self-isolate between the testing and receiving his results, but he did not comply and "went to work the next day".
He received his positive test result yesterday and was admitted to the Royal Hobart Hospital, where he is in a satisfactory condition.
"It is unacceptable to continue activities in public or attend work while waiting for the coronavirus virus test results," Dr Veitch said.
Four members of the man's household and three friends are now in quarantine for 14 days.
Dr Veitch said health authorities would also further investigate his movements, including at his vocational college.
"He's a student at the Ideal College in Hobart and has attended the college twice recently and we have been in contact with a staff member of the college and we are engaging with them further over the next day or so," Dr Veitch said.
"The particular follow up of this case is complex and very demanding and we're grateful for the hard work of the Public Health team."
Public Health will now clarify the man's flight details to determine whether his illness posed a risk to anyone on the flight.
There have been 114 tests for coronavirus in Tasmania to date.
The deputy director of Public Health Scott McKeown said there had been "a very significant increase in testing since the first case was confirmed".
The Hotel Grand Chancellor has been contacted for comment.
Meanwhile NSW Health has confirmed an 82-year-old man died overnight after testing positive to the virus, marking the third coronavirus-related death in Australia.
Melbourne GP hits back after criticism from Victorian Health Minister
A Melbourne GP who tested positive for the coronavirus after treating dozens of patients has lashed out at Victorian Health Minister Jenny Mikakos who criticised his decision to return to work.
In a reply to a post on Mikakos's Facebook page, Chris Higgins, a doctor at the Toorak Clinic in Melbourne, said he was "upset about the inaccuracies and unfairness of [her] comments" and demanded an apology.
The Victorian Health Minister identified Chris Higgins' practice, but not him individually. Photo: Google Maps
Higgins started feeling unwell during a trip to the US and treated about 70 patients at the clinic and two patients at a nursing home between returning to Australia on 29 February and testing positive on Friday.
He was the 11th person in Victoria confirmed to have the virus.
Mikakos, who identified Higgins' practice but not him individually, told a press conference yesterday: "I have to say I am flabbergasted that a doctor that has flu-like symptoms has presented to work.
"Our advice to the community is that if you have returned from overseas and are experiencing cold or flu-like symptoms then please stay home. Do not go to work."
In his reply on Facebook, Higgins said Mikakos's version of events did not match what he had told her department.
"I had a mild cold when I returned from the USA last Saturday morning, which had almost resolved itself by Monday morning, hence my decision to return to work," he said.
"I hesitated to do a swab because I did not fulfil your criteria for testing but did one anyway on Thursday evening for sake of completeness, not imagining for one moment it would turn out to be positive.
"I believe you have taken a cheap opportunity for political grandstanding and would appreciate an apology."
- ABC