Confirmed case in the Hunter - not new
EDIT: I can't change the title, but I should be clearer that it's Hunter New England Health, which covers are huge area, and not necessarily "the Hunter".
This isn't new - it was an "previously announced" case involving a gentleman in his 70s, recently returned from Italy, and it was published in social media last night (ABC Newcastle and Hunter New England Health's Facebook pages):
"Hunter New England Local Health District is providing care and support to one of the previously announced COVID-19 cases, a male in his 70s who recently returned from Italy.
Health staff are undertaking daily wellness checks while he is in isolation at home and he is doing well.
His close contacts have been contacted and asked to self-isolate. They are being contacted every day by the public health unit to check that they are well. Any contact who develops COVID-19 symptoms will be tested for the infection.
NSW Health is continuing to trace and respond to cases as they are diagnosed to slow any spread of COVID-19 in the community."
At this stage it appears they are not releasing what area he is in, but it's not the Cessnock potential case from last week as that person received the all clear (good news!).
Also, on a positive note: given his age, he's doing well to manage it at home without needing to be hospitalised. Hopefully that remains the case for him.
Posted Mar 9, 2020, 11:33 PM UTC · edited
It’s bullshit that they’re not releasing the area. I get they need to protect the guy, but it’s not like we’re asking for his address. The hunter is a big place. Let the public know if he’s in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, etc.
It's a huge area. All the way to Tenterfield and Moree.
It's interesting how some cases we're hearing all the details, right down to the flight details and places in the community the person visited, yet with this one, there's nothing.
The Newcastle Herald article said it was in the Hunter. Who knows their source though.
I missed that article but just went back and found it. In the comments section someone mentions this guy was tested at John Hunter Hospital, but of course that could be speculation. There was a lot of talk last week about a potential case in Maitland but nothing has been in the news as yet. Hard to know what is true and what isn't.
Also u/maybewedontexist found a reference to a case in Taree yesterday which could be it.