The flight from Wuhan to Sydney yesterday, including the crew, was also wearing a mask. (Photo by Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
A new type of coronavirus with a suspected fatal risk of infection has been tested in many parts of Australia, and several have been confirmed to be non-infected, but it is unknown where they will be examined.
As of late thursday evening,25 new coronavirus deaths were reported,844 worldwide and 830 in china alone, but no cases have been confirmed in australia.
At present, there are eight city blockades in China, including Wuhan, Ezhou, Huanggang, Chibi, Qianjiang, Zhijiang, Jingmen and Xiantao, all of which are cities in Hubei Province, with a total population of about 25 million.
The new state health department said friday that four people are currently being tested for the virus, but will not disclose their hospital for privacy reasons.
In addition, the health department did not say whether the suspected patients were from the flight from Wuhan to Sydney yesterday.
"We will update the public in a timely manner for any confirmed case and for those who need to announce the patienttrend," the new state health office said in its statement. "
The new state health department said late Thursday it was investigating whether one person was infected with the new coronavirus. Kerry Chant, chief medical officer for the new state, noted that the person would be tested quickly and that authorities "would conclude in a short time."
Jeannette Young, the state`s chief medical officer, announced Friday morning that two people in the state were being tested for a new type of coronavirus. Four other people in the state were previously suspected to have contracted the disease, but it turned out to be a false alarm after testing.
Another man from China was picked up and examined by biosafety officers on Wednesday after disembarking at Melbourne Airport, but later ruled out the possibility of an illness.
Brendan Murphy, Australia`s chief medical officer, said in Canberra today that the technology for testing new coronaviruses has matured," and the lab believes now is enough to give the answer to be able to act within a day." "
The World Health Organization says it`s too early to declare a new coronavirus crisis.
Australian passengers quarantined in Hong Kong
According to Hong Kong media, the Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection said on Thursday it had contacted three close contacts in connection with two highly suspected cases to arrange for Mrs. MacLehose Holiday Village to be isolated.
An Aussie passenger enters the resort for quarantine on Thursday afternoon in a white minibus dedicated to government. The passenger said he was not aware of the need to accept the reasons for the isolation and was feeling good.
There are two highly suspected cases of a new type of coronavirus in Hong Kong. The second patient was flown from Wuhan to Shenzhen on the 19th of this month and returned to Hong Kong on the same day via MTR Luohu Port. The fever started on the 18th but no symptoms of respiratory tract infection. He stayed at the Shatin Hotel on Monday and returned to the same emergency room on the 2nd. Due to persistent fever symptoms, the hospital arranged for him to receive isolation treatment.
Australian officials insist proper handling
At a time when china already has two city blockades and provinces have responded to a major public health emergency in response to the new coronavirus, australian border security officials have stressed that the country`s response to the virus is fine.
Asked by Peter Dutton, the interior minister, if Australia is ill-prepared for the potential spread of the deadly virus, to point out that "we have the best protection in the world "," I think it`s important to realize that a country like ours is well-prepared, has the best response, and can carry out quarantines very quickly. "
A direct flight from Wuhan to Sydney has landed at noon on Thursday after the outbreak was announced in Wuhan. Passengers and crew members wore masks and those who were worried took their temperature.
The new state health office has arranged for experienced doctors and nurse at sydney airport to work with the australian border service and support from virologists.
Thursday`s results showed no signs of illness among the flight`s passengers. But people who have been exposed to the virus may not develop symptoms similar to a cold until up to a week later.
But mr dudon admits that it has been extremely difficult for authorities to screen for patients in the past month when a large number of passengers have come to australia through local airports or have been to hubei province.
Neutral counculor Patrick questioned why autharies only screened the flight that arrived in Sydney from Wuhan on Thursday, saying:" There are more than 40 Chinese direct flights arriving in Australia today "why not screen all direct flights. "
Scientists at the University of Queensland are stepping up research into a new type of coronavirus called vaccine.
Australian scientists step up development of vaccine
Scientists at the University of Queensland are working day and night to develop a new coronavirus called vaccine within six months.
According to the daily telegraph, the task was to quickly develop a new vaccine using a technique that proved effective at responding to other viruses in laboratory conditions.
They will rely on the new technology of molecular clamps, hoping to develop vaccine and distribute it worldwide within six months without the need for live viruses.
The team have mastered the genetic sequence of the new coronavirus and will use it to produce the same protein as the virus`s surface, which activates the body`s immune system.
The team from the University of Queensland is one of three researchers around the world who are known to be working on vaccine quickly.
Chappell said the team was facing a difficult task in the months ahead, but that everyone would do everything they could to develop vaccine by the end of july and even earlier.
South korean airports are also taking their temperature. (Photo by the Daily Telegraph)
New Pneumonia or Severe Tourism in Australia
Moody`s, a credit rating agency, believes a new outbreak of pneumonia in China could hit Australia`s tourism industry hard, especially if it is to prevent the virus from spreading and restrict travel abroad.
"Although the World Health Organization has so far not proposed any travel restrictions, passenger traffic in Asian destinations, particularly between China and Australia, could be significantly affected in the next two to three quarters if regional travel restrictions similar to those imposed during the SARS outbreak in 2003 are implemented," Moody`s senior vice president, Arnon Musiker, said in a note Thursday. "
Adding insult to injury, the moody`s report said the number of chinese visitors to airports across australia was`significantly more` than in the case of the sars outbreak.
Australia`s airports are already facing severe operating conditions, including a slowdown in passenger traffic, weak consumer confidence and the impact of forest fires on peak travel, which, if any, would add to the pressure on the country`s airports. "
However, Moody`s also said that the coronavirus epidemic may be "still within control."
