A DELEGATE who attended the Universities Australia Conference in Canberra late February tested positive three days after it ended. 

Universities Australia received a notification from ACT Health saying that one delegate at the Universities Australia Conference, held at the National Convention Centre in Canberra from February 25-27, tested positive for COVID-19. The person started noticing symptoms on Sunday, March 1, after returning to their home in another region of Australia.

Canberra’s first coronavirus case, confirmed today, is not the Universities Australia Conference delegate.

Universities Australia chief executive Catriona Jackson says Universities Australia has been working closely with health authorities for a number of days as they have conducted investigations into potential sources of infection of a delegate that attended the Universities Australia Conference.

“Health authorities have carried out extensive investigations into the source of the infection but have, as yet, been unable to identify the source of the infection,” Ms Jackson says.

“Now, in line with the advice of ACT Health, we have emailed all delegates and asked them to be alert for any of the symptoms of COVID-19 and supplied health information and contact details.”

“As the university sector has done throughout COVID-19, we have adhered meticulously to the advice of medical authorities and will continue to do so.

“As we all confront the reality of the virus that has now been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organisation, what is most important is that we pull together as a community and take expert health advice to try and slow the spread of COVID-19.”

Universities Australia is now advising delegates to be alert for any of the symptoms of COVID-19, which include fever, cough, sore throat, headache or muscle aches.

If these symptoms developed before March 13, Universities Australia says people should seek medical attention and advise the doctor that they have attended a conference where they might have been in contact with someone with COVID-19.

“There is no need for you to isolate yourself from others unless you develop symptoms,” says Universities Australia.

People with symptoms are also urged to notify their local public health unit on health.gov.au or by calling the National Coronavirus Information Line on 1800 020080. People in the ACT are urged to call the Communicable Disease Control Unit on 5124 9213.

‘No risk’ says health chief about ACT coronavirus case