Update on Novel Coronavirus Infection
30 January 2020 - Update on Novel Coronavirus Infection
The novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is now a controlled notifiable condition under the South Australian
Public Health Act 2011. Doctors and diagnostic laboratories are required to notify the CDCB Medical
Officer on call of any suspected cases on 1300 232 272 (24/7).
While most cases continue to be reported from Hubei Province, China, where the outbreak began, over
7,500 confirmed cases have been reported with over 170 deaths in mainland China, and the disease has
now spread to all provinces of China. There have now been cases reported from more than a dozen other
countries, including Australia, where 7 cases have been confirmed. There has not yet been a confirmed
case in South Australia, and there is no evidence of local transmission in Australia at this stage.
The incubation period thought to be 2-14 days. The infectious period is currently unknown, but there is
early evidence of transmission in the pre-symptomatic phase.
The information on this incident is constantly evolving.
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COMMUNICABLE DISEASE CONTROL BRANCH |
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| - Attention all doctors - | ||
| Date: 30/01/2020 | Contact telephone number: 1300 232 272 (24 hours/7 days) | |
Update on Novel Coronavirus Infection
The novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is now a controlled notifiable condition under the South Australian
Public Health Act 2011. Doctors and diagnostic laboratories are required to notify the CDCB Medical
Officer on call of any suspected cases on 1300 232 272 (24/7).
While most cases continue to be reported from Hubei Province, China, where the outbreak began, over
7,500 confirmed cases have been reported with over 170 deaths in mainland China, and the disease has
now spread to all provinces of China. There have now been cases reported from more than a dozen other
countries, including Australia, where 7 cases have been confirmed. There has not yet been a confirmed
case in South Australia, and there is no evidence of local transmission in Australia at this stage.
The incubation period thought to be 2-14 days. The infectious period is currently unknown, but there is
early evidence of transmission in the pre-symptomatic phase.
The information on this incident is constantly evolving.
The Australian Government has now recommended that:
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People (including healthcare workers) who have been in contact with any confirmed 2019-nCoV cases
must be isolated in their home for 14 days following exposure. -
Returned travellers who have been in Hubei Province, China must be isolated in their home for 14 days
after leaving Hubei Province, other than for seeking individual medical care.
Given the lower number of cases in China reported outside of Hubei province, isolation is not currently
recommended for travellers from other parts of China or other countries. The development of cases outside
of Hubei province is being closely monitored and this advice will be updated if necessary.
Medical practitioners are advised to:
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Consider 2019-nCoV in persons who have returned from mainland China or are contacts of a known
case of 2019-nCoV, in the 14 days prior to illness onset, with fever or history of fever, or with
respiratory symptoms such as cough, dyspnoea, or pneumonia. -
Assess patients with suspected 2019-nCoV infection using transmission based precautions in
addition to standard precautions:- Put a surgical mask on patient and ask to observe respiratory (cough) etiquette.
- Social distancing i.e. move patient from general waiting area and use a single room, if available.
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Staff examining patient to wear gloves, disposable long sleeved gown, P2/N95 respirator mask (if
available, if not available then wear a surgical mask) and eye protection. -
Hand hygiene with alcohol hand rub, or if hands visibly soiled, soap and water.
Avoid aerosol generating procedures, if possible. If they cannot be avoided, use full airborne
precautions including P2/N95 respirator mask and negative pressure room.
- Notify the CDCB medical officer on 1300 232 272 (24/7) to discuss any suspected cases.
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Consider laboratory testing
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Discuss testing with CDCB medical officer. If testing is recommended and you have the
appropriate PPE (as above with P2/N95 respirator mask) in isolated room, collect a combined
nasal / pharyngeal swab, preferably in viral transport medium. See specimen collection guide at
https://www.sapathology.sa.gov.au/genericfiles/PUB-0712.pdf. Send specimens to SA Pathology. - Do not send patients to pathology collection centres.
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Discuss testing with CDCB medical officer. If testing is recommended and you have the
- Isolate any patient with suspected 2019-nCoV (either in a healthcare facility or at home).
For further information see SA Health www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/novelcoronavirus, the Australian
Government Department of Health website at https://www.health.gov.au/health-topics/novel-coronavirus2019-ncov
and the World Health Organization website at https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus
Dr Louise Flood – Director, Communicable Disease Control Branch
For all enquiries please contact the CDCB on 1300 232 272
Public - 12-A2
Download the official health alert here (PDF)
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03 February 2020 - Novel Coronavirus infection updated recommendations
03 February 2020 - Novel Coronavirus infection updated recommendations
South Australia now has two confirmed cases of 2019-novel coronovirus (2019-nCov) in two adults who
recently travelled to Wuhan (Hubei Province), China. There are 12 confirmed cases in Australia, 11 of
which have travelled to Wuhan, with the remaining case having direct contat with a confirmed case from
Wuhan. Currently, htere is no evidence of local transmission in Autralia.
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COMMUNICABLE DISEASE CONTROL BRANCH |
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| - Attention all doctors - | ||
| Date: 03/02/2020 | Contact telephone number: 1300 232 272 (24 hours/7 days) | |
Novel Coronavirus infection updated recommendations
South Australia now has two confirmed cases of 2019-novel coronovirus (2019-nCov) in two adults who
recently travelled to Wuhan (Hubei Province), China. There are 12 confirmed cases in Australia, 11 of
which have travelled to Wuhan, with the remaining case having direct contat with a confirmed case from
Wuhan. Currently, htere is no evidence of local transmission in Autralia.
While most cases continue to be reported from Hubei Province, China, over 17,000
confirmed cases have been reported with over 360 deaths in mainland China. The disease
has now spread to all provinces of China, and there have been cases reported from more
than a dozen other countries, including one death.
The Australian Government has now recommended that:
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All travellers leaving from mainland China on or after 1 February 2020 must be
isolated at home for 14 days after leaving mainland China, other than for seeking
individual medical care. This includes all health care workers. -
All travellers who have been in Hubei Province must be isolated at home for 14 days
after leaving mainland China, other than for seeking individual medical care. -
People (including healthcare workers who have not used adequate PPE who have
been in close contact with any confirmed 2019-nCoV cases must be isolated at
home for 14 days after exposure.
The case definition for suspected cases has been updated.
Suspected cases require BOTH epidemiological AND clinical criteria
For further information see SA Health www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/novelcoronavirus, the Australian
Government Department of Health website at https://www.health.gov.au/health-topics/novel-coronavirus2019-ncov
and the World Health Organization website at https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus
Dr Louise Flood – Director, Communicable Disease Control Branch
For all enquiries please contact the CDCB on 1300 232 272
Public - 12-A2
Download the official health alert here (PDF)
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