Novel coronavirus (COVID-19) latest updates
Australia is closely monitoring an outbreak of respiratory illness caused by a novel (new) coronavirus first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China.
NT Health is working closely with state and territory chief health officers and the Federal Chief Medical Officer to ensure a coordinated, evidence based response in Australia.
The Manigurr-ma village is currently being used to accommodate Australians evacuated from the Diamond Princess cruise ship for a 14-day quarantine period.
This is an Australian Government operation led by the Department of Home Affairs.
For the latest health information on the coronavirus, go to the Australian Government's Department of Health website. Fact sheets for the general public, health professionals and industry are also available on this website.
The World Health Organization has put together myth busting information for the public. To find out more, go to World Health Organization website.
Latest updates
24 February 2020
On 22 February the Australian Chief Medical Officer confirmed that a further five evacuees from the Diamond Princess had returned positive results for COVID-19. Three people were from Queensland and the other two were from Victoria. Arrangements have been made with the health services in those states to repatriate them today for care closer to home.
This brings the total number of cases from the cruise ship evacuees to seven.
Daily screening of all evacuees accommodated at Manigurr-ma village in Howard Springs will continue throughout the quarantine period. Per an agreement with all Australian jurisdictions, any confirmed cases are repatriated to their home states through established medical retrieval processes for continued care.
The 266 evacuees from Wuhan all remained well throughout their quarantine period and were able to return home on Sunday 23 February.
Howard Springs residents
The people in isolation at the Munigurr-ma facility pose no health risk to your community.
They were evacuated from Wuhan and the Diamond Princess cruise ship for their safety after clearing a thorough health assessment.
Isolation is an extra precaution to ensure no one becomes ill during the 14 day incubation period and risks spreading the virus.
They are staying in closed isolation, separate to the broader community under close security and medical supervision.
Novel coronavirus is only a threat to those in close contact (one metre or less) with someone with the virus.
The few that need to have close contact with the people in isolation must wear personal protection equipment.
The virus cannot be spread through the air or by insects.
If anyone becomes ill in isolation, they will receive care from a medical team highly skilled in containing communicable diseases.
Remote community residents
The information below is precautionary advice.
You need to be alert and take appropriate precautions if you:
- live or work in a remote community and have visited or worked in China in the last 14 days or
- have been in close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the last 14 days.
If you are well and meet either of the above criteria
If you are well and meet either of the above criteria, you need to:
- self-quarantine at home for 14 days after leaving China or after being in close contact with a confirmed case
- remain within a three-hour drive (preferably by sealed road) from Alice Springs, Katherine, Nhulunbuy or Darwin. You should not go to any remote Aboriginal community
If you live more than three hours away from these towns or are in a remote Aboriginal community, you should seek accommodation elsewhere.
To discuss your circumstances, call the Public Health Unit on 08 8922 8044.
If you are unwell and present to a health facility in a remote area
If you are unwell and present to a health facility in a remote area, you will be managed as a suspect case if you have:
- fever or
- respiratory symptoms with fever and have visited or worked in China in the last 14 days or
- respiratory symptoms without a fever and have visited or worked in China in the last 14 days or
- been in close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the last 14 days.
If you need to be admitted to hospital, a transfer will be arranged for you.
If you are a suspect case and don’t need to be admitted to hospital
If you are a suspect case and don’t need to be admitted to hospital, you must:
- remain within one hour's drive (preferably by sealed road) from Alice Springs, Katherine, Nhulunbuy or Darwin
- not go to any remote Aboriginal community and seek accommodation elsewhere
- complete 14 days of self-quarantine after leaving China or being in close contact with a confirmed case even if the test is negative.
Last updated: 27 February 2020