Authorities have confirmed the first case of coronavirus among the general public in the Northern Territory. A 52-year-old who flew from Sydney to Darwin on Wednesday has tested positive to the coronavirus and is being treated in isolation at the Royal Darwin Hospital. Authorities fear the virus could have “devastating effects” if it makes its way to the country’s most remote communities. Meanwhile, more than 150 passengers evacuated from the Diamond Princess cruise ship will get to go home this morning after spending 14 days in quarantine in Darwin. There were eight passengers diagnosed with COVID-19, all of whom were flown interstate for treatment including James Kwan who died from the virus in Perth on Sunday. Image: News Corp Australia

A New South Wales tourist who has tested positive for coronavirus in Darwin went to Woolworths before isolating himself at his hotel when he started to feel sick, authorities said.

“It was a very short trip and he was not in prolonged contact with any individual,” Deputy Northern Territory chief health officer Professor Dianne Stephens told reporters this morning.

NT Health confirmed the first case of COVID-19 in the community on Wednesday night.

The 52-year-old man arrived in Darwin via Sydney on Tuesday afternoon on Qantas flight QF840 but has had limited contact with the community, the territory’s health department said.

Prof Stephens said after his brief shopping trip at Woolworths on Cavenagh St in the CBD, the man went back to the Ramada Suites by Wyndham Zen Quarter in the city and was feeling unwell.

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Top End Health Service Public Health Unit is conducting contract tracing.

In a statement to news.com.au today, a Woolworths spokeswoman said they are providing support and guidance to the relevant staff.

“The safety of our customers and team members is our number one priority,” she said.

“Following the advice from public health authorities, we are contacting team members who worked in our Darwin City store on Tuesday afternoon.

“Any customers in our Darwin City store at this time should follow the NT Government’s health advice. We have a detailed cleaning program in our stores every day and will take all actions required.

“As per the NT Government health advice, customers and team members should be assured they can continue to shop and work at this supermarket with confidence.”

Nine News reported the man also hired a car and health officials are contacting the company.

“There is a process that the public health unit will go through to manage those close contacts and it does involve questioning them, making sure that they’re aware that if they become unwell they need to be tested and to ensure that they are aware of all the self-quarantine regulations that need to be followed,” Prof Stephens said.

“We will reach out to the people (on the flight) that were two rows either side of the person that has become positive and two rows to the side.

“The rest of the people on that plane need to self monitor just in case they came in contact with that passenger but it really is the people that were very close to him that fit the criteria for close contact.”

The man is isolated in a negative pressure room at Royal Darwin Hospital, Prof Stephens said.

Cabin crew who had direct contact with the passenger on the A330 have been placed into self-isolation, The Australian reported.

More than 100 coronavirus tests have been conducted in the NT with the one positive result.

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Australians evacuated from the coronavirus-hit Diamond Princess cruise ship off Japan will be allowed to go home today after spending a fortnight in quarantine at the Manigurr-ma village in Howard Springs outside Darwin.

The group of nearly 160 people will be flown on charter planes.

Perth man James Kwan, 78, was evacuated to Western Australia after testing positive for the disease shortly after arriving at the quarantine facility.

“He became unwell on the flight from Japan and remained isolated throughout his short stay at the facility,” NT Health said.

Mr Kwan died last weekend.

Overnight, Australia confirmed its second coronavirus death – a 95-year-old female resident at an aged care facility in NSW.

Woolworths and Ramada have been contacted by news.com.au for comment.