As of 29 January, over 5,517 confirmed cases of novel coronavirus 2019 (2019-nCov) have been detected including at least 131 deaths. While the majority of cases have been detected in Wuhan, other case have been reported from other parts of China as well as Japan, Thailand and South Korea. Almost all cases have reported living and travelling to Wuhan.
Infection has caused severe acute respiratory illness in many cases, although a number of mild or asymptomatic cases have now been identified through screening of close contacts.
Consider 2019-nCov infection in people with:
- History of travel from Wuhan City, China in the 14 days before illness onset or close contact with a confirmed case of 2019-nCoV. AND
- Fever or history of fever and acute respiratory infection (with at least one of the following symptoms: shortness of breath, cough or sore throat)
Reduce your risk of Coronavirus Infection with:
- Clean hands with soap, water or alcohol based hand rub
- Cover nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing with a tissue
- Avoid close contact with anyone with a cold or flu like symptoms
- Thoroughly cook meat and eggs
- Avoid unprotected contact with live wild or farm animal
If you have a fever with a cough, sore throat, or shortness of breath and you have travelled overseas in the past month, please call your GP or Emergency Department or Heath Direct 1800 022 222 or Public Health Unit 1300 066 055 for advice before attending.
NSW Health has been advising people NOT to go to a GP office if they suspect they have coronavirus. The advise is to call ahead to the GP for advice. GP will make an assessment over the phone and determine the next steps
Source: NSW Health Protection and World Health Organisation
