Fighting to halt spread
FOUR cases of the novel human coronavirus have already been confirmed in NSW and at least half a dozen more are under investigation.
With nearly 15,000 people of Chinese ancestry living in the Inner West, the disease’s rapid spread overseas is causing plenty of concern particularly for those with friends and family still in China.
Thousands of students are also set to return to school this week with Sydney Catholic Schools executive director, Tony Farley, telling his schools that children who have visited China anytime since December, will need a medical certificate before they can start the new term.
Parents at public schools are being asked to keep any child who’s had contact with a confirmed case of novel coronavirus at home for at least two weeks.
However Minister for Education, Sarah Mitchell, and Minister for Health, Brad Hazzard, are also asking parents – but not requiring them – to keep their children home from school if they have visited China in the past fortnight.
NSW chief health officer, Dr Kerry Chant, says 14 days represents the internationally recognised incubation period and urged anyone exhibiting symptoms to seek immediate medical attention and remain isolated.
“The most common symptom is a fever,” she said.
“Other symptoms include cough, sore throat and shortness of breath.”
