Two Australian Defence Force officers test positive for COVID-19

Two Australian Defence Force members have tested positive for coronavirus with authorities looking to trace who else they may have passed the virus to.

The Russell Offices complex in Canberra contains the administrative headquarters of the Australian Defence Force, and is home to Air Force Headquarters.

The Russell Offices complex in Canberra contains the administrative headquarters of the Australian Defence Force, and is home to Air Force Headquarters. Source: airforce.gov.au

Two members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) have tested positive to coronavirus. 

One of the defence members travelled to defence headquarters in the ACT on February 28. 

ACT health authorities say the second case is unrelated to the Canberra meeting and they did not travel to the capital.

The pair have been isolated, according to a joint statement from Chief of the Defence Force General Angus Campbell and Secretary of the Department of Defence Greg Moriarty.
The Defence is cooperating with NSW and ACT Health authorities to contact, isolate, test and support persons involved.

"As a necessary precautionary measure to address the increasing risk of COVID-19 infection within Defence and the general community, any Defence personnel and those working in Defence establishments who present with cold/flu-like symptoms will remove themselves from the workplace and arrange with their local health centre or GP for testing for COVID-19," the statement said.
"Furthermore, all ADF, Defence APS and contractors contacted by State or Federal Health authorities as part of COVID-19 case tracking, will provide all assistance possible.

"This is consistent with the Federal Government’s commitment to active, early and continuing support to public health efforts to contain COVID-19, and to work in partnership with the States and Territories."

The ACT government told anyone who was on flights QF1509 or VA651 on 28 February to contact local health services.

NSW confirmed on Saturday that a man in his 40s had tested positive for the virus on those flights but did not name them as a defence force member.

ACT Chief Health Officer Dr Kerryn Coleman said there were no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Canberra.

Three Australians have died from the virus with 74 testing positive, including the two defence members.


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Published 8 March 2020 12:07pm
Updated 8 March 2020 2:25pm



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