호주도 우한 코로나 확산 우려, 시드니와 멜버른서 감염자 확진
중국 또는 코로나 영향권 방문·방문자와 접촉한 학생은 호주 귀국일 2주간 등교 말 것 권고
호주 시드니와 멜버른을 중심으로 우한 코로나 감염자 확산 우려가 커지고 있다.
현재(1월 27일)까지 호주에서는 우한 코로나 확진 환자 4명이 발생한 가운데, 예비검사에서 양성 반응이 나온 1명에 대한 확인 작업이 진행되고 있다.
멜버른에서 지난 1월 25일 50대 중국인 남성이 첫 번째 감염자로 확인돼 격리 치료를 받고 있다.
시드니에서도 35세, 43세, 53세 남성 3명이 추가 확진 환자로 나타나 치료 중이다.
뉴사우스웨일스주 보건당국은 현재 5번째 ‘우한 코로나’ 감염자를 확인 중이며, 앞으로 더 많은 환자가 발생할 위험이 높다고 우려하고 있다.
호주 보건당국은 중국 우한에서 출발해 1월 20일 시드니에 도착한 항공편을 이용한 모든 승객을 조사 중이다.
호주 정부는 신종 코로나바이러스의 진원지인 중국 후베이성을 ‘여행 금지지역’으로 지정하고, 중국에서 호주로 도착하는 모든 항공편 승객들에게 신종 코로나바이러스의 증상과 대처 방법에 대한 정보를 제공하고 있다.
이런 가운데 개학을 맞은 호주 학교들이 우한 코로나의 확산을 막기 위해 방학 동안 중국을 여행한 학생들을 격리하는 등 강도 높은 조치를 취하고 있다.
호주의 학교들은 최근 신종 코로나바이러스의 영향권을 방문한 학생이나 그런 방문자와 접촉한 학생은 호주 귀국일로부터 2주 동안 등교하지 말 것을 권고하는 문자 메시지를 학부모들에게 보냈다. 또한 신종 코로나바이러스 지역을 여행한 학생들에게 의료증명서를 제출할 것을 요구했다.
Coronavirus Update from the NSW Government
The NSW Government has today requested that children who have visited China in the last two weeks not attend school or childcare services until 14 days have lapsed from their date of departure from China.
Health Minister Brad Hazzard and Education Minister Sarah Mitchell said although the risk to children is very low, the NSW Government has taken this step as a precautionary measure.
“I’ve been advised that it’s not medically necessary, but the NSW Government has acted in line with community expectations to ensure the safest possible environment for our students,” Mr Hazzard said.
“The internationally recognised incubation period for the coronavirus is 14 days, so this is the logical timeframe to ask students to refrain from attending school. After this time, there is no risk.
“Advice about not attending school has already been provided to any close contacts of confirmed cases.”
The Commonwealth Department of Health has confirmed that all passengers disembarking from planes from China are being given comprehensive information about coronavirus in both English and Mandarin.
NSW Health has been contacting passengers who were on the same planes as confirmed cases to provide appropriate advice and has processes in place to identify any close contacts of cases confirmed in Australia.
Ms Mitchell said the Department of Education has issued guidance to schools and childcare services across NSW on protocols in the event of a child becoming sick.
“Although the risk remains very low for children, we believe it is the right thing to do to take this extra step and will continue to update the community with advice,” Ms Mitchell said.
There are currently four confirmed cases of novel coronavirus in NSW. All cases had travelled to Wuhan, China or had contact with a confirmed case in China.
Parents with concerns can contact their local Public Health Unit on 1300 066 055 for advice or visit the dedicated NSW Health information pageExternal link.
Anyone who develops a fever, cough, sore throat or shortness of breath within 14 days of travel to Hubei or contact with a person with confirmed coronavirus, should immediately isolate themselves from other people, contact their GP or local emergency department or call the healthdirect helpline 1800 022 222.
Parent information regarding Novel Coronavirus
The Department of Education is currently working with the Ministry of Health to monitor and respond to the unfolding international novel coronavirus situation. Advice has been distributed to NSW Public Schools in accordance with advice received from the Ministry of Health.
There has been a small number of cases of confirmed Novel Coronavirus in New South Wales.
In accordance with national public health guidelines, exclusions only apply for those who are a:
•Confirmed case of Novel Coronavirus – exclude until medically cleared
•Close contact of a confirmed case of Novel Coronavirus – exclude for 14 days since last contact with the confirmed case
Staff or students who have recently returned from overseas and are well, and are not close contacts of a confirmed case, are able attend work or school as normal.
Close contact is defined as living in the same household, 15 minutes face-to-face contact with a person with confirmed coronavirus in any setting, or sharing a closed space with a person with confirmed coronavirus for more than 2 hours.
The Ministry of Health has processes in place to identify any close contacts of cases confirmed in Australia. Advice about not attending school would be provided to these close contacts by the Ministry of Health.
Consistent with current guidelines, staff and students who are unwell with respiratory illness should remain at home until symptoms resolve. In accordance with our current practice if any child becomes unwell we will implement our infection control guidelines and follow the advice provided by the Ministry of Health as appropriate.
We will continue to monitor the situation closely and take advice received from NSW Ministry of Health to ensure we are responding to the situation appropriately.
Further information and updates are available via NSW Health website;
Factsheet: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/alerts/Pages/coronavirus.aspx
FAQs: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/alerts/Pages/coronavirus-faqs.aspx
Parent Advice: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/news/Pages/20200127_01.aspx
크리스천라이프 편집부