Coronavirus Update
Box Hill Institute continues to take advice on the coronavirus from the Department of Health, DFAT Smart Traveller, and the World Health Organisation.
As of 11 February 2020, Australia has had 15 confirmed cases of novel coronavirus:
· 5 in Queensland
· 4 in New South Wales
· 4 in Victoria
· 2 in South Australia
Five people have recovered and the others are in a stable condition.
All of the cases in Australia have come from Wuhan except one in NSW who had contact in China with a confirmed case in Wuhan.
Novel coronavirus is a respiratory illness caused by a new coronavirus first reported in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. Symptoms can range from a mild illness like a cough to pneumonia. People may experience fever, flu-like symptoms and shortness of breath.
In Australia, the people most at risk of getting the virus are those who have:
· recently been in mainland China
· been in close contact with someone who is a confirmed case of coronavirus
If you are at risk, you need to isolate yourself for 14 days.
· If you have been in Hubei Province in the past 14 days, you need to isolate yourself for 14 days after leaving Hubei Province.
· If you have been in mainland China on or after 1 February 2020, you need to isolate yourself for 14 days after leaving mainland China.
· If you have been in close contact with a confirmed case, you need to isolate yourself for 14 days after your last contact with that person.
Everyone can protect against infections by practising good hand hygiene and respiratory hygiene. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing and sneezing, or cough into your elbow, dispose of the tissue into a bin and then wash your hands afterwards. Wash your hands regularly, after using the toilet and before eating.
International students
The Department of Health is delivering more Australian education services online and offshore for international students. To find out more and for support, go to coronavirus updates for international students on the Study in Australia website.