Man with respiratory infection 'coughs on four nurses'
A West Australian man who was awaiting test results for a respiratory infection has been charged with assault after allegedly coughing on four hospital nurses.
Police say the 23-year-old was ordered to isolate in a room at Bunbury Regional Hospital on Tuesday after presenting to the emergency department and undergoing tests.
He allegedly became agitated and approached a nursing station before deliberately coughing and sneezing at the four nurses.
The man was charged with four counts of assaulting a person working in a hospital and faced Perth Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
He will return to Bunbury Magistrates Court on Thursday.
WA's parliament last week passed legislation to further protect public officers, including medical staff, during the coronavirus pandemic.
Anyone convicted of assaulting a frontline worker where they know or create a belief, suspicion or fear that they have COVID-19 will face up to 10 years' jail.
Police Commissioner Chris Dawson on Wednesday said 10 people had been charged with failing to comply with a direction to self-isolate or quarantine.
Three $1000 fines were issued to people who disobeyed self-isolation and gathering directives, including an Armadale woman who caused a disturbance at a shopping centre.
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