Another Melbourne high school, Yarra Valley Grammar School, has taken the precautionary measure of cancelling its open day, which was expected to attract more than 1000 guests on Saturday. Dr Sutton said the community should be implementing plans to care for themselves and close contacts if they become ill. "We all need to make those plans, including how to manage at home, separate bedrooms, shutting the door, separate living arrangements," he said. While the Carey teacher represents the first case of local transmission, Mr Sutton said this form of spread will increase daily. Increased "social distancing" measures – like cancelling sporting events and closing schools – should be expected, he said.

These measures aim to slow the spread of the virus and thwart a rapid spike in infections that overwhelm the health system and lead to a higher mortality rate. Mr Sutton said authorities were trying to delay the peak period of the virus' spread to about July, but conceded it was likely the peak period could come as soon as May. The pandemic phase of the COVID-19, where the virus is spreading exponentially, would almost certainly be over by Christmas, Mr Sutton said. Loading On Monday night, parents were informed Carey would not open on Tuesday because a staff member was undergoing testing after being exposed to a person with coronavirus and displaying symptoms.

Overnight, the teacher tested positive for COVID-19. The teacher is the first person in the state to have contracted the virus locally rather than overseas. The teacher was infected by a family member who contracted the illness on the same US-Australia flight as Toorak doctor Chris Higgins, who treated 70 patients while sick. Authorities are less concerned about the positive test than they would have been if they did not know the source of the initial infection. Speaking to reporters this morning, the school's principal Jonathan Walter said the school would begin working with health authorities to contact families of students who may have been exposed to the teacher.

The school has about 2200 students at its Kew campus, with 900 in the senior school. Mr Walter did not say when the teacher last had contact with students, or which group of students the teacher taught. "We are now going through the process of mapping for the potential spread of this virus within the school," he said. "Clearly we have a big day ahead of us as we work to understand the potential spread and follow up with any further testing."

On Tuesday Yarra Valley Grammar School principal Dr Mark Merry announced the cancellation of the school's open day on Saturday as a precaution. "We are advised the potential risk in holding the event is slight but we believe the right and prudent decision is to exercise an abundance of caution," he wrote to parents. School tours will now be arranged for later in the year, Dr Merry said. He added that school overseas trips were being "reassessed" and warned that other major school activities may also be cancelled. The school will give an update on the situation later today, with an assessment to be made in conjunction with health authorities about how long the school should be shut for. Updated health advice for Australians The symptoms of coronavirus include: Fever

Cough

Shortness of breath; and

Breathing difficulties If you suspect you or a family member has coronavirus you should call (not visit) your GP or ring the national Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.