A Tasmanian man who contracted the coronavirus went to work at a large hotel instead of self-isolating at home, according to health authorities.
Tasmanian director of Public Health Services Mark Veitch said that the man, in his 20s, had returned from Nepal via Singapore and Sydney on February 26.
Although he experienced cold-like symptoms, he continued to work at the Hotel Grand Chancellor and attend the Australian Ideal College, both in Hobart.
On March 6 he contacted a hotline as his symptoms worsened, but ignored advice to self-isolate while he waited for results.
He tested positive for the coronavirus the next day and is currently in a stable condition at the Royal Hobart Hospital.
“It is unacceptable to continue activities in public or attend work while waiting for the coronavirus virus test results,” Veitch said.
“I ask all people in Tasmania to act responsibly in these circumstances.”
Authorities are now assessing who the man have have come into contact with. They are confirming his flight details and contacting work colleagues and classmates.
Those determined to have been in close contact with the man will be forced to self-isolate for two weeks.
Close contact is defined as 15 minutes of face-to-face interaction or spending more than two hours in the same room as a confirmed case.
The man marks the state’s second coronavirus case to date.
He is said to have worked in the hotel in a casual capacity, however it has not yet been confirmed whether he was entitled to paid sick leave.
