Novel coronavirus, referred to as 2019-nCoV first appeared in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. Cases have been reported in some other Chinese provinces and several other countries, including Australia.
The virus can cause an infection in people, including a severe respiratory illness. Call the Department of Health and Human Service’s dedicated hotline on 1800 675 398 if you develop these symptoms.
As of 1 February 2020, the case definition for a person suspected to have contracted novel coronavirus has been expanded. Any person who has an acute respiratory infection and has been in mainland China or has had close contact with a confirmed case of novel coronavirus in the 14 days prior to onset of illness should be tested for the infection.
As a precaution, people who have been in mainland China (excluding Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan) are advised to self-isolate if they were in mainland China on or after 1 February 2020, when the risk of human to human transmission across many provinces of mainland China was identified to have significantly increased.
If a person who has been in mainland China on or after 1 February 2020 begins to feel unwell and develop shortness of breath, a cough or respiratory illness during the 14 days since they were last in mainland China, they should seek medical attention. Call ahead to your GP or emergency department and mention your travel to mainland China.
If you are concerned that you are at risk of carrying coronavirus due to recent travel, please contact the Department of Health and Human Services coronavirus hotline on 1800 675 398 before attending a hospital emergency department or appointment. Please keep Triple Zero (000) for emergencies only.
For more information visit:
- Department of Health and Human Services Coronavirus information for the public
- Smartraveller website
- Better Health Channel – Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)
- The World Health Organization page on the Novel Coronavirus outbreak
Visiting Monash Health
We would like to reassure our patients and visitors that we have robust infection control measures in place, and it remains safe to attend the Monash Medical Centre. Our clinical teams and indeed all our employees follow infection control processes to protect themselves and others.
The risk to patients attending any health service is extremely low as we have the ability to isolate unwell patients.
If you are concerned that you are at risk of carrying coronavirus due to recent travel, please contact the Department of Health and Human Services coronavirus hotline on 1800 675 398 before attending a hospital emergency department or appointment.
If you have not travelled to affected areas overseas or have not been in direct contact with anyone who has visited the affected areas overseas, there is very little risk of infection.
You can read more about the novel coronavirus, including advice on symptoms and precautions, on the Department of Health and Human Services website.