Major twist in case of youngest coronavirus 'victim' Nathan Turner
A Queensland man believed to have been Australia’s youngest victim to COVID-19 may not have actually had the novel coronavirus virus after all.
Nathan Turner, a miner from Blackwater in Central Queensland, died last month aged 30.
Mr Turner suffered from chronic illnesses and was later found to have the virus after he tested positive following his death.
Health authorities have resorted to testing Blackwater’s sewage, which could also reveal how many people in the town have been exposed or unknowingly have the virus if traces are detected in the waste.
Investigators are also looking into a Rockhampton nurse who showed for work with coronavirus and are asking about a sightseeing road trip to Blackwater.
The unnamed nurse has been suspended after she continued to show up for work at a Rockhampton nursing home despite having symptoms, and while waiting on test results.
However, Queensland Health confirmed Mr Turner has been cleared of having COVID-19 before he died after his partner received the results of his autopsy on Monday.
A workmate of Mr Turner's fiancee on Monday reported a second test conducted after his death came back negative.
"We have just got word from our staff member Nathan's partner that his autopsy report has come in and Nathan has been CLEARED as COVID-19 NEGATIVE," Kelly Bunyoung posted on Facebook.
"Blackwater can now rest easy."
Queensland Health could not confirm the negative test.
As Mr Turner had not worked for six months or left the mining town since February, authorities were unsure how he contracted the virus.
There were reports Mr Turner showed symptoms of the virus for weeks but still held a house party.
Yahoo News Australia has contacted Queensland Health to confirm the surprise results of the autopsy.
with AAP
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