Passengers on board Qatar Airways’ coronavirus carrier from Doha to Sydney are told to self-isolate after a woman on board was diagnosed
- Passengers on board Qatar Airways Flight QP908 may have been exposed
- One woman on board was diagnosed with coronavirus after travelling from Iran
- People are being urged to self-isolate or go to hospital if they have symptoms
- Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and should you see a doctor?
Passengers on board a Qatar Airways flight from Doha to Sydney are being told to self-isolate after a female passenger was diagnosed with coronavirus.
Authorities have urged any traveller aboard Qatar Airways Flight QR 908 that landed in Sydney on February 23 to remain alert and go to hospital if they start displaying symptoms.
It comes after a female passenger in her 50s was diagnosed with coroavirus after travelling from Iran to Sydney.
The woman flew back to Australia via Qatar, developing symptoms a day after landing.
On Monday NSW health minister Brad Hazzard said the government were trying to contact passengers that had been sitting near the woman.
Passengers on board a Qatar Airways flight from Doha to Sydney are being told to self-isolate after a female passenger was diagnosed with coronavirus (stock)
Coronavirus has killed more than 3,000 people globally and can cause severe lung damage and trigger multiple organ failure
‘Anyone on that flight, QR908, that arrived on February 23 at 6:50pm at Sydney Airport, should be very aware that there was someone on the flight who had the coronavirus and if they do have any of these symptoms, then, flulike symptoms effectively, then you should get along to your doctor,’ he said.
‘If you have any doubts or thoughts it may be the coronavirus, please ring ahead to your GP or go to the local emergency department so they are aware and can take the appropriate steps to keep everyone safe.’
On Sunday a man in his 40s was also diagnosed with coronavirus after arriving in Sydney from Iran.
The total number of Australians diagnosed with the virus is now 29, including James Kwan, 78, from Perth, who tragically died on Sunday.
NSW chief heath officer Kerry Chant said the new cases in NSW were not linked and they were not on the same flight.
The male in his 40s arrived on February 22 and did not develop symptoms of COVID-19 until two days later.
He was tested on February 28 and was confirmed to have COVID-19 on Saturday, NSW Health said in a statement on Sunday.
The man has relatively minor symptoms and has been taken to Westmead Hospital.
The state’s four previous cases have all been discharged from hospital.
Travellers at Brisbane International Airport on January 29 (pictured)
Dr Chant said another man in his 50s was also under investigation for possible COVID-19 based on his preliminary lab results.
‘Travellers from Iran should be particularly vigilant for symptoms as there has been a rapid increase in COVID-19 activity there in recent days,’ Dr Chant said in a statement.
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.