Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton was diagnosed with the COVID-19 disease
yesterday, after attending a Cabinet meeting with the PM on Tuesday.
But the Prime Minister’s office insists there’s no need for Mr Morrison
to be tested nor self-isolate.
More than 200 cases of the coronavirus have now been confirmed across Australia, and three people have died.There are 112 cases in New South Wales, 36 in Victoria, 46 in Queensland, 19 in South Australia, 17 in Western Australia, five in Tasmania, one in the Northern Territory, and one in the ACT.
On Thursday afternoon there were 141 virus cases across Australia. That jumped to 200 by the same time on Friday – an increase of 41 per cent.
The PM introduced a ban on public gatherings of more than 500 people from Monday.
Prof Murphy said this was the easiest way to stop the spread of the virus. But if there were more community transmissions it could lead to more restrictions, such as schools and public transport closing.
Follow our live, rolling coverage of the coronavirus pandemic below.
Live Updates
The number of coronavirus cases in Queensland has soared by 11 today, taking the state's total number of cases to 46.
It comes after the state began a trial to drive-through fever clinics in two regional centres.
The new cases range from 19 to 69 years old, and all are reported to be in a stable condition.
All are in the Brisbane, West Moreton, Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast regions except for a 48-year-old woman in the Wide Bay region.
The 46 cases include three from the Diamond Princess cruise ship.
Queensland Health has confirmed all cases remain isolated, with contact tracing still underway for these new cases.
NSW has also recorded its biggest jump in coronavirus cases to date, with the number of people infected with COVID-19 now over 100.
NSW Health confirmed there had been 20 new cases of the virus since 11am, bringing the state's total to 112 – the most out of any other state in Australia.
Of the new cases, 11 are male and 9 are female, the eldest a 69-year-old male who recently travelled from Italy and the youngest a 24-year-old woman.
Seven of the new cases are people who recently returned from travel overseas. It's unclear where the other 13 cases contracted the virus.
Of the state's 112 cases, 51 were acquired overseas, 32 came into contact with another confirmed case, 18 are under investigation and for 11 cases, the source is unknown.
It comes after the state began a trial to drive-through fever clinics in two regional centres.
The new cases range from 19 to 69 years old, and all are reported to be in a stable condition.
All are in the Brisbane, West Moreton, Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast regions except for a 48-year-old woman in the Wide Bay region.
The 46 cases include three from the Diamond Princess cruise ship.
Queensland Health has confirmed all cases remain isolated, with contact tracing still underway for these new cases.
NSW has also recorded its biggest jump in coronavirus cases to date, with the number of people infected with COVID-19 now over 100.
NSW Health confirmed there had been 20 new cases of the virus since 11am, bringing the state's total to 112 – the most out of any other state in Australia.
Of the new cases, 11 are male and 9 are female, the eldest a 69-year-old male who recently travelled from Italy and the youngest a 24-year-old woman.
Seven of the new cases are people who recently returned from travel overseas. It's unclear where the other 13 cases contracted the virus.
Of the state's 112 cases, 51 were acquired overseas, 32 came into contact with another confirmed case, 18 are under investigation and for 11 cases, the source is unknown.
Gavin Fernando
Baz Luhrmann has posted an update saying he is "healthy and well".
The Australian movie director, who halted production on his blockbuster Elvis biopic after Tom Hanks tested positive for the virus, issued a statement this evening saying he remains in isolation.
He said he has received "tremendous support" and that his family is doing well.
The Australian movie director, who halted production on his blockbuster Elvis biopic after Tom Hanks tested positive for the virus, issued a statement this evening saying he remains in isolation.
He said he has received "tremendous support" and that his family is doing well.
Gavin Fernando
Apple
Inc has announced it will close all its retail stores for the next two
weeks to minimise the coronavirus outbreak, with the exception of
Greater China.
"We will be closing all of our retail stores outside of Greater China until March 27," Apple CEO Tim Cook wrote in a letter posted on the company's website.
"In all of our offices, we are moving to flexible work arrangements worldwide outside of Greater China," he added.
"That means team members should work remotely if their job allows."
"We will be closing all of our retail stores outside of Greater China until March 27," Apple CEO Tim Cook wrote in a letter posted on the company's website.
"In all of our offices, we are moving to flexible work arrangements worldwide outside of Greater China," he added.
"That means team members should work remotely if their job allows."
Peter Dutton says he is feeling "much better" following his coronavirus diagnosis.
The Home Affairs Minister tested positive for the virus on Friday, but today said his fever has subsided and he is receiving treatment at Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital.
"I had a sore throat – nothing different than what you’d get in a normal flu. So not a sort of a phlegmy cough or anything like that just a dry cough," he told Triple M.
"But I might have coughed you know three or four times so not anything more than sort of a tickle in the throat. And then a temperature and a fever was the most obvious thing, but no real joint pain either."
Mr Dutton's wife Kirilly and children are in self-isolation without any symptoms.
The Home Affairs Minister tested positive for the virus on Friday, but today said his fever has subsided and he is receiving treatment at Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital.
"I had a sore throat – nothing different than what you’d get in a normal flu. So not a sort of a phlegmy cough or anything like that just a dry cough," he told Triple M.
"But I might have coughed you know three or four times so not anything more than sort of a tickle in the throat. And then a temperature and a fever was the most obvious thing, but no real joint pain either."
Mr Dutton's wife Kirilly and children are in self-isolation without any symptoms.
Natalie Brown
Woolworths have had to take even further action against the behaviour of its panic-stricken shoppers.
"Dear customers. Due to the reoccurring theft of our trolley sanitiser wipes you will now find them located at the service counter. This is so we can keep them available for you. We apologise for any inconvenience," a sign read, taped to an empty hand-wipe dispenser.
"Dear customers. Due to the reoccurring theft of our trolley sanitiser wipes you will now find them located at the service counter. This is so we can keep them available for you. We apologise for any inconvenience," a sign read, taped to an empty hand-wipe dispenser.
Natalie Brown
A
coronavirus advertising blitz is being rolled out tonight by the
Federal Government across TV, radio, newspapers, social media,
billboards and bus stops around the nation.
Strong emphasis has been placed on the need for good hygiene, with simple hand-washing front and centre.
"The best defence against most viruses including COVID-19 is practising good hygiene. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water. Cover your cough/sneeze and dispose of tissues. Avoid contact with others if you are unwell," the campaign reads.
"At this stage you should only be tested for COVID-19 if you are experiencing flu or cold-like symptoms and have recently returned from overseas, or have been in direct contact with someone who is known to have contracted coronavirus."
The campaign includes TV spots and two full-page newspaper advertisements featuring a letter from PM Scott Morrison, Health Minister Greg Hunt and Chief Medical Officer Professor Brendan Murphy.
There will also be a 30-second video advertisement called "Good Hygiene Starts Here".
The $30 million public health campaign forms part of the government's $2.4 billion package designed to help stop the spread of the disease.
The health plan also includes $205 million for 100 pop-up respiratory clinics and $100 million for a tele-health service allowing people to have consults remotely.
Strong emphasis has been placed on the need for good hygiene, with simple hand-washing front and centre.
"The best defence against most viruses including COVID-19 is practising good hygiene. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water. Cover your cough/sneeze and dispose of tissues. Avoid contact with others if you are unwell," the campaign reads.
"At this stage you should only be tested for COVID-19 if you are experiencing flu or cold-like symptoms and have recently returned from overseas, or have been in direct contact with someone who is known to have contracted coronavirus."
The campaign includes TV spots and two full-page newspaper advertisements featuring a letter from PM Scott Morrison, Health Minister Greg Hunt and Chief Medical Officer Professor Brendan Murphy.
There will also be a 30-second video advertisement called "Good Hygiene Starts Here".
The $30 million public health campaign forms part of the government's $2.4 billion package designed to help stop the spread of the disease.
The health plan also includes $205 million for 100 pop-up respiratory clinics and $100 million for a tele-health service allowing people to have consults remotely.
Natalie Brown
The Herald Sun have reported that jury trials in Victoria will grind to a halt in a bid to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
"In an unprecedented move all new Supreme Court and Court trials will be suspended from Monday," reporter Shannon Deery tweeted.
"Trials already underway will be allowed to finish."
"In an unprecedented move all new Supreme Court and Court trials will be suspended from Monday," reporter Shannon Deery tweeted.
"Trials already underway will be allowed to finish."
Natalie Brown
Menulog have joined Uber Eats and Dominos and announced they'll introduce a "contactless delivery" option for their customers.
"The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends social distancing to help prevent the spread of illness," the company wrote in an email.
"So, in order to help our customers follow this guidance, you can now request contactless deliveries for your card payment orders."
Dominos' chief executive Don Meij said yesterday that if "offering the option of a zero contact deliver gives our team members and customers peace of mind, then it’s a step we’re willing to take".
Read more here.
"The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends social distancing to help prevent the spread of illness," the company wrote in an email.
"So, in order to help our customers follow this guidance, you can now request contactless deliveries for your card payment orders."
Dominos' chief executive Don Meij said yesterday that if "offering the option of a zero contact deliver gives our team members and customers peace of mind, then it’s a step we’re willing to take".
Read more here.
Natalie Brown
Sydney's
St Patrick's Day parade is the latest event to be cancelled as the
number of COVID-19 infections in NSW creeps towards 100.
The festival, due to be held in the Rocks tomorrow, was on Saturday afternoon cancelled after "further reflection" by the event organisers.
"While the government restrictions on large events don't come into play until Monday, on further reflection and on listening to our supporters and community, we have decided to cancel the event," Sydney's St Patrick's Day president Karen Murphy said on Facebook.
"It has been a difficult decision for our voluntary committee, but we believe it is in the best interest of the community at this time.
It comes following the cancellation of the Sydney Royal Easter Show, which was due to start in three weeks.
– With AAP
The festival, due to be held in the Rocks tomorrow, was on Saturday afternoon cancelled after "further reflection" by the event organisers.
"While the government restrictions on large events don't come into play until Monday, on further reflection and on listening to our supporters and community, we have decided to cancel the event," Sydney's St Patrick's Day president Karen Murphy said on Facebook.
"It has been a difficult decision for our voluntary committee, but we believe it is in the best interest of the community at this time.
It comes following the cancellation of the Sydney Royal Easter Show, which was due to start in three weeks.
– With AAP
Natalie Brown
Western Australia has recorded another three cases of coronavirus, bringing the state's total to 17.
WA Health Minister Roger Cook said the new cases included two men and a woman, all of whom had travelled overseas and who were now self-isolating at home.
"If you are going to look for a silver lining, is that all of those people have come from overseas, have travelled from overseas," Mr Cook said at a press conference.
"So as a result of that, we can conclude that there has been no community-based transmission of the virus to date, and that is an important aspect we're trying to achieve here."
WA Health Minister Roger Cook said the new cases included two men and a woman, all of whom had travelled overseas and who were now self-isolating at home.
"If you are going to look for a silver lining, is that all of those people have come from overseas, have travelled from overseas," Mr Cook said at a press conference.
"So as a result of that, we can conclude that there has been no community-based transmission of the virus to date, and that is an important aspect we're trying to achieve here."
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