Ruby Princess passenger dies from COVID-19 in SA, taking national toll to 50

A second person has died from COVID-19 in South Australia, just one day after the first, taking the national toll to 50.

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The Ruby Princess at Port Kembla, Wollongong, Monday, 6 April, 2020. Source: AAP

A 62-year-old woman from Adelaide has died from coronavirus, taking South Australia's death toll to two and the national tally to 50.

The woman, who contracted the virus on the Ruby Princess cruise ship, died on Wednesday morning in Royal Adelaide Hospital.

Francesco Ferraro, a 75-year-old man from metropolitan Adelaide, was the first person in SA to die from the virus.
It comes as the daily increase in new cases has dropped to about three per cent, but health experts are concerned COVID-19 could be widely transmitted among unwitting community members.

Health Minister Greg Hunt warned abandoning social distancing rules over the long weekend would undo everything done to curtail the crisis.

"The virus doesn't take a holiday," he told the Ten Network.

More than 5,800 Australians have caught the coronavirus and 50 people have died.
Dozens of Ruby Princess passengers with COVID-19 were allowed to disembark in Sydney in March, after an 11-day round trip to New Zealand.
Ruby Princess passengers with COVID-19 were allowed to disembark in Sydney in March, after an 11-day round trip to New Zealand. Source: AAP
An infectious diseases nurse treating COVID-19 patients in a Brisbane hospital has tested positive to the illness.

She stayed home when symptoms emerged and notified her bosses immediately. The nurse is now resting in isolation.

In NSW, three children have been taken to hospital from a Sydney hotel where travellers have been placed in quarantine after returning to Australia.
Almost 300 people quarantined at the nearby Swisshotel were released on Wednesday morning after undergoing a final health check.

Chief medical officer Brendan Murphy said people should not be complacent to the risk of community transmission.

At least 550 people in Australia have been infected with coronavirus by someone who didn't know they had it.
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others and gatherings are limited to two people unless you are with your family or household.

If you believe you may have contracted the virus, call your doctor (don’t visit) or contact the national Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.

If you are struggling to breathe or experiencing a medical emergency, call 000. SBS is committed to informing Australia’s diverse communities about the latest COVID-19 developments.

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Published 8 April 2020 10:48am
Updated 8 April 2020 4:08pm



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