First human-to-human transfer of COVID-19 is confirmed in Australia as number of cases soars to 31
- NSW Health to announce medical worker contracted the virus in a hospital
- The medical worker is the first to contract coronavirus from human contact
- Man who travelled from Iran to Australia tested positive for coronavirus
- The man took all necessary precautions and there is a low risk to the public
The first human-to-human transfer of COVID-19 has been confirmed in Australia as the number of cases soars to 31.
NSW Health announced three new coronavirus cases on Monday afternoon and confirmed a 53-year-old medical worker contracted the virus in a hospital in Sydney's western suburbs.
Two of the three cases are human-to-human transmissions. It is the first time someone has been infected with the deadly virus from another person in Australia.
The first human-to-human transfer of COVID-19 has been confirmed in Australia as the number of cases soars to 31
NSW Health is expected to announce that a medical worker has contracted the virus in a hospital in Sydney's western suburbs. Pictured: Westmead Hospital in Western Sydney
The other cases have been from people travelling abroad where outbreaks have been more extreme.
NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the public can go about life as normal but should exercise caution.
'If you have been anywhere in a public place, you should wash your hands before doing anything,' he said.
Mr Hazzard said people should not touch their faces and always wash their hands before eating.
He suggested it's time to 'cease' shaking hands and instead pat each other on the back as a greeting.
'Let's save our handshakes until this is resolved,' he said.
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It comes as Tasmania confirms its first case of coronavirus.
The man who travelled from Iran to Australia on Saturday tested positive for COVID-19.
He was wearing a facemask when he landed at Launceston Airport, authorities said on Monday.
The Tasmanian Government has reassured residents that the man has taken all necessary precautions and there is low risk to the public.
'I want to be clear, a public health emergency has not been declared and Tasmanians are at low risk,' Tasmanian Health Minister Sarah Courtney told Nine News.
'With regards to our preparations in Tasmania, we are very well prepared.'
James Kwan (pictured), 78, was quarantined on the Diamond Princess Cruise ship and died on Sunday
NSW Health is expected to announce that a medical worker has contracted the virus in a hospital in Sydney's western suburbs (pictured: officials wearing protective suits to check evacuees from Diamond Princess cruise ship)
The total number of Australians diagnosed with the virus is now 29, including James Kwan, 78, from Perth, who tragically died on Sunday.
Another woman who recently returned from Iran, a 63-year-old, is being treated at the Gold Coast University Hospital after being confirmed as having the disease.
The federal government on Saturday advised Australians against travelling to Iran.
Under the new restrictions, Australian citizens, permanent residents and their immediate family who've travelled to Iran will be required to self-isolate at home for 14 days from the day they left the country.
Foreign nationals who are in Iran will be banned from entering Australia for 14 days, from the time they have left or transited through.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has raised the level of advice for Italy, Iran, Japan, South Korea, Mainland China, Mongolia.
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