The Victorian Department of Health and Human Services has published advice regarding cases of a novel coronavirus, referred to as 2019-nCoV, associated with Hubei Province in China. There are several confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in Victoria.
Basketball Hawthorn strongly advises its clubs, associations and participants to follow the advice of the Department of Health and Human Services.
The following people should self-isolate and not participate in basketball:
- People who were in Hubei Province: until 14 days after they were last in Hubei Province;
- People who were in mainland China (excluding Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan) on or after 1 February 2020: until 14 days after they were last in mainland China;
- Close contacts of confirmed cases: until 14 days after last close contact with the confirmed case.
What is the novel coronavirus?
The virus can cause an infection in people, including a severe respiratory illness. Symptoms include fever with a cough, sore throat or shortness of breath. Cases of this coronavirus have now been reported in other Chinese provinces and several other countries, including Australia.
As of 1 February 2020, the case definition for a person suspected to have contracted novel coronavirus has been expanded. Any person who has an acute respiratory infection and has been in mainland China or has had close contact with a confirmed case of novel coronavirus in the 14 days prior to onset of illness should be tested for the infection.
What should I do if I have recently travelled to China?
The Department of Health and Human Services advises that:
- As a precaution, people who have been in mainland China (excluding Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan) on or after 1 February 2020, when the risk of human to human transmission across many provinces of mainland China was identified to have significantly increased, should self-isolate.
- If a person who has been in mainland China on or after 1 February 2020 begins to feel unwell and develop shortness of breath, a cough or respiratory illness during the 14 days since they were last in mainland China, they should seek medical attention. Call ahead to your GP or emergency department and mention your travel to mainland China.
Call the Department of Health and Human Services’ dedicated hotline on 1800 675 398 if you develop these symptoms. This hotline is serviced by Nurse-on-Call.
Use Triple Zero (000) for emergencies only.
- The Australian Government has announced travel restrictions and has advised that visitors from mainland China who are not Australian citizens or permanent residents and their dependents will not be allowed entry into Australia. The Australian Government has also recommended that Australians should not travel to mainland China at the current time.
How do I help prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus?
Practising good hand and sneeze/cough hygiene is the best defence. The most important actions are:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water
- Cough and sneeze into your elbow
Where can I find further information and updates?
The Victorian Department of Health and Human Services continues to monitor the situation and provide useful information and resources for Victorians.
Basketball Hawthorn strongly advises accessing the Department of Health and Human Services website and checking for updates.
The following websites provide information that is updated as the situation develops:
- Department of Health and Human Services: Information for the public – novel coronavirus
- Better Health Channel (Victorian Government): Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)
- Department of Health (Australian Government): Novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV)
Commonwealth and state government agencies, including the Australian Department of Health and the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services, have established mechanisms to respond to matters such as this.
Basketball Hawthorn will continue to monitor the situation and provide updated information as it becomes available.
