coronavirus, coronavirus, covid-19, mersey community hospital, dr scott mckeown

A Mersey Community Hospital employee has been diagnosed with the novel coronavirus. Public Health Services acting director Dr Scott McKeown confirmed the diagnosis on Friday night, and said investigations were continuing into how the health worker contracted the virus. "The person is fully cooperating with PHS staff," Dr McKeown said. "Public Health Services has initiated an investigation into this case in conjunction with the Tasmanian Health Service to ascertain the person's movements at work and in the community to identify any close contacts. "Should any close contacts be determined through this investigation these people will be contacted by PHS." The hospital employee was one of 11 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Tasmania on Friday, which brought the state's tally to 58. Another of the cases was from North-West Tasmania, while five were from the north and four were from the south of the state. Two of the cases are aged in their 20s. Two are aged in their 30s, two in their 40s, two are 50s, two in their 60s, and one in their 80s. Seven of the cases are men; four are women. "Of the other cases, eight are related to people who have been aboard cruise ships," Dr McKeown said. "These people had already been identified by PHS and were already in self-quarantine. "Two other cases are people who have recently travelled to Tasmania from overseas. "Tasmania has conducted 1779 tests." The situation with coronavirus is changing regularly. People can stay up to date by visiting the Department of Health coronavirus website at http://www.health.tas.gov.au/coronavirus or the Australian Government Department of Health website at www.health.gov.au. Anyone requiring more information about coronavirus should contact the National Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080.

https://nnimgt-a.akamaihd.net/transform/v1/crop/frm/NQiJDXf4NWnExqjD6zCrvn/dcf742b0-e611-4052-bb62-8e52898bc8ec.jpg/r3_0_1198_675_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg