'Get to your doctor': Warning for passengers on Sydney flight after coronavirus scare
Authorities are working to determine where a woman with coronavirus was sitting on her plane when she returned to Sydney from Iran.
The woman in her 50s started to present COVID-19 symptoms soon after she arrived back in the country on a Qatar Airways Flight.
“Anyone on that flight, QR908, that arrived on February 23 at 6:50pm at Sydney Airport, should be very aware that there was someone on the flight who had the coronavirus and if they do have any of these symptoms, then, flulike symptoms effectively, then you should get along to your doctor,” Mr Hazzard said.
Passengers on the flight have been asked to be alert to symptoms and NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard on Monday said health authorities were investigating the woman's exact seating.
“If you have any doubts or thoughts it may be the coronavirus, please ring ahead to your GP or go to the local emergency department so they are aware and can take the appropriate steps to keep everyone safe,” Mr Hazzard said.
NSW chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant said those who sat a couple of rows in front of and behind the woman should self-isolate for 14 days.
"We will be reaching out as soon as we've got contact details," Dr Chant told reporters in Sydney on Monday.
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Six confirmed cases in NSW
There have been six confirmed cases of coronavirus in NSW.
The woman who arrived from Iran is currently in hospital with the virus, as is another man in his 40s who arrived in Sydney on a separate flight.
Mr Hazzard said two of the man's close contacts were in hospital quarantine and another six were in self-isolation.
The health minister said more than 80 people in NSW were being tested on Monday but that was a rolling figure.
Authorities have also called on passengers on a flight from Bali that landed in Melbourne on Friday to self quarantine if they develop symptoms after a woman in her 30’s was diagnosed on Friday.
The woman was travelling back from Iran on Malindo Air flight OD 177 and landed at shortly after 6:00am on Friday.
Victorian chief health officer Dr Brett Sutton said all passengers sitting in the same row or adjacent rows to the patient should isolate themselves but authorities were waiting on the flight manifest in order to contact those passengers.
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