UPDATE: A passenger who was quarantined after disembarking a flight at Avalon Airport on Tuesday has returned a negative test result for coronavirus.

The Department of Health and Human Services confirmed the passenger returned a negative result Wednesday afternoon.

They had been taken to Geelong hospital by ambulance officers dressed in protective gear, including glasses and masks, on Tuesday.

The patient had disembarked an Air Asia flight from Malaysia that morning.

The airport revealed Tuesday’s drama was the fourth such scare in recent weeks.

Ten cases have been confirmed in Victoria.

The DHHS has completed more than 1700 negative COVID-19 tests in Victoria

EARLIER: Ambulance officers in protective clothing whisked an AirAsia passenger away and into quarantine in Geelong after the traveller arrived at Avalon Airport with symptoms of the coronavirus.

The airport revealed Tuesday’s drama was the fourth such incident in recent weeks.

The latest passenger suspected to be carrying the virus was met at the airport by emergency services and taken directly to Geelong hospital.

Paramedics wore protective gear, including glasses and masks as they transported the patient, who is understood to have walked off an AirAsia flight from Malaysia.

media_camera Paramedics arrive at Avalon Airport. Picture: Glenn Ferguson

A Department of Health and Human Services spokesman confirmed the person was being tested for novel coronavirus, known as COVID-19, and would be quarantined until the outcome of the test was revealed.

The test result is expected to be known today.

As of Tuesday there were more than 30 confirmed cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Australia, with nine in Victoria, according to the State Government.

The spokesman said the DHHS had so far completed 1700 negative COVID-19 tests in Victoria.

Avalon Airport chief executive Justin Giddings said three people showing suspected signs of coronavirus had come to the airport on flights in recent weeks.

media_camera Coronavirus scare at Avalon Airport Airport staff at quiet departure area. picture: Glenn Ferguson

“We’ve had three scares where people have been suspected but they have been cleared. They come through, they get offloaded and they get tested,” Mr Giddings said.

Mr Giddings said the Australian Border Force had set up a triage system at the airport, following the outbreak of coronavirus in China, that assessed inbound passengers.

He said the passenger would not have been allowed on the flight if they were a confirmed case prior to departure.

The State Government noted there was a high probability the COVID-19 virus would spread and impact more Victorians, although it had not been declared a pandemic as of Tuesday.

media_camera Coronavirus scare at Avalon Airport picture: Glenn Ferguson

Barwon Health spokeswoman Kate Bibby said the health service was treating all presentations with symptoms of COVID-19 appropriately.

“As with all infectious diseases, our staff are well prepared to identify, triage and

manage suspected cases, including using isolation when necessary,” Ms Bibby said.

“Barwon Health is in regular contact with the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services and is receiving regular updates on COVID-19 as the situation develops.”

MEANWHILE some businesses on the Great Ocean Rd are suffering massive downturns due to coronavirus travel restrictions.

media_camera Quiet departure area at Avalon Airport. Picture: Glenn Ferguson

Great Ocean Rd Regional Tourism general manager Liz Price said visitation at some venues was down by more than 70 per cent.

“You look at some of the cafes and restaurants at Apollo Bay that cater for the day-tour market, they’re significantly down,” she said. “Places like Cape Otway Lightstation did a big promotion for Chinese New Year last year but this year they’ve been70 per cent down for the same period.”

Surf Coast Shire said China, hit hard by travel bans since the virus surfaced there, accounted for 10.4 per cent of the 51,510 international overnight visitors in 2018.

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Ms Price said that some destinations on the Great Ocean Rd were still doing well from domestic visitors.

“Some people are going down because they hear it’s quieter,” she said.

The International Air Transport Association said air traffic had collapsed on key Asian routes.

Meanwhile, the City of Melbourne has postponed a business mission to China and Japan planned for this month.