Coronavirus patient breaks quarantine to visit WOOLWORTHS to stock up on supplies - potentially exposing shoppers to infection
- The 40-year-old had travelled to Iran, and tested positive to the virus on Monday
- He was tested on Sunday, but went to Woolworths on his way home from testing
- The man spent 15 minutes at the Launceston on Sunday night at around 10pm
- Anyone who was at the supermarket at that time who feels ill should visit a GP
- Those returning to Australia from Iran are advised to isolate at home for 14 days
- On Wednesday morning, the total number of COVID-19 cases in Australia was 41
A man with coronavirus in Tasmania went grocery shopping when he was meant to be in self-isolation at home.
The 40-year-old, who had travelled to Iran, returned a positive test to the virus on Monday and has been in isolation in hospital since.
State health authorities say the man went to Woolworths at Wellington Street in Launceston on Sunday at 10pm for about 15 minutes on his way home after being tested in hospital.
'The man visited the supermarket after being told of the requirements of self-quarantine,' Public Health Director Mark Veitch told reporters on Wednesday.
'The risk to anyone who was in the supermarket at that time is very low.
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The 40-year-old, who had travelled to Iran, returned a positive test to the virus on Monday and has been in isolation in hospital since. Some 10,000 people across the country have been tested and there are 41 confirmed cases
'However, it is appropriate to fully inform staff and customers who were there.'
Mr Veitch has urged anyone who was at the supermarket at that time to visit their GP or hospital if they feel unwell.
The man is Tasmania's only case of coronavirus. He had flown from Iran to Malaysia and then Melbourne before landing in Launceston on Saturday.
Health authorities have contacted 13 of 15 people sitting near the man on the Virgin flight to Launceston.
The man, whose name has not been publicly released, is "doing well" in hospital, Dr Veitch said.
Health authorities urged anyone who has returned to Australia from Iran since February 19 to self-isolate at home for 14 days.
Iran reported its first COVID-19 case on February 20, with the number of cases rising to 1501 and 66 deaths as of March 3.
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Australian public health laboratories have now confirmed several cases of COVID-19 in people with direct or indirect travel history to Iran.
All confirmed cases have been isolated and are receiving medical treatment and all states and territories have begun tracing.
'It is clear that the Iranian health system is managing a large number of cases which have developed over a short period of time and as a result, reporting of cases may have been delayed or under-estimated,' Health Minister Greg Hunt said in a statement.
As of Wednesday morning, the total number of COVID-19 cases in Australia was 41
As of Wednesday morning, the total number of COVID-19 cases in Australia was 41.
Twenty-one of those have been cleared of the virus.
Globally there have been more than 88,500 infections and more than 3000 deaths spanning 67 countries and regions.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison urged Australians not to panic as the deadly coronavirus continues to spread.
'They don't have to, not turn up to the footy, or go out for a Chinese meal or any of these things,' Mr Morrison told Nine.
