A repatriation flight passenger who landed in Canberra on Monday has been sent to hospital for a health issue unrelated to COVID-19.
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The person was among 177 returning Australians who touched down in Canberra on a "hub flight" - meaning it carried passengers who had travelled from several different locations - from Singapore on Monday evening.
ACT health authorities on Tuesday said the cohort included families, adults and children from a number of countries across Asia and Europe, including Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia and Portugal.
They said that, of the passengers, 146 got out at Canberra Airport and underwent health screening.
No one reported symptoms of COVID-19, but the one person was transported to hospital for an unrelated health issue.
The remaining passengers were taken to Canberra's only quarantine hotel, Pacific Suites on Northbourne Avenue, where they will spend 14 days in mandatory quarantine.
The remaining 31 passengers were on the flight as commercial rather than repatriation passengers.
They flew on to Sydney, where they will also undergo quarantine.
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An ACT government spokesperson said the passengers would be tested at least twice in quarantine.
"This includes day one testing and testing prior to exiting quarantine," they said.
"Additionally, any passenger will be tested if they develop COVID-19 symptoms in line with National Health Guidelines."
The spokesperson said any positive tests would be reported to the community.
From Canberra's last repatriation flight, which landed in the national capital on February 8, one passenger - a woman in her 30s - returned a "very low" positive test for COVID-19 during her exit testing from hotel quarantine.
Authorities were confident the positive test was because of an old infection, obtained overseas in December.
They later confirmed the woman posed no risk to the community, and she was released from quarantine along with other passengers who'd completed the mandatory 14 days.
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Cassandra Morgan
It has never been more important for Canberrans to be able to access reliable and accurate information about health. As The Canberra Times’ health reporter, I am committed to ensuring our readers have access to this. I, like many in the territory, have family members who work in the sector. Although providing comprehensive coverage on the coronavirus pandemic is obviously my number one priority, I aim to frequently shed light on the fantastic work our frontline professionals do, as well as the challenges they face. Email me tips and story ideas at: c.morgan@canberratimes.com.au.
It has never been more important for Canberrans to be able to access reliable and accurate information about health. As The Canberra Times’ health reporter, I am committed to ensuring our readers have access to this. I, like many in the territory, have family members who work in the sector. Although providing comprehensive coverage on the coronavirus pandemic is obviously my number one priority, I aim to frequently shed light on the fantastic work our frontline professionals do, as well as the challenges they face. Email me tips and story ideas at: c.morgan@canberratimes.com.au.
