Perth Australia COVID Death 78M ex-Diamond Princess

[niman]

A West Australian man has become the first person to die of coronavirus in Australia.

The 78-year-old was being treated in isolation at the intensive care unit of Perth’s Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital but died in the early hours of Sunday.

https://7news.com.au/travel/coronavirus/western-australian-man-becomes-first-person-in-australia-to-die-from-coronavirus-c-723547

 

[niman]

Western Australian man becomes first person in Australia to die from coronavirus

Elizabeth Daoud

Saturday, 29 February 2020 8:53 pm

 

 

The man was being treated in isolation at Perth’s Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. Credit: Richard Wainwright/AAP

A West Australian man has become the first person to die of coronavirus in Australia.

The 78-year-old was being treated in isolation at the intensive care unit of Perth’s Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital but died in the early hours of Sunday.

The man and his wife were one of the many Australians stranded on the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan.

His wife has also tested positive and remains in isolation in hospital in a stable condition.

WA Chief Health Officer Dr Andrew Robertson said the man’s wife had an opportunity to talk to him prior to his death.

Although it’s the first death in Australia, Robertson said there is no need for public panic.

“We still need to make the point very clear that there isn’t community spread within Australia,” he told reporters on Sunday.

“This tragic case is still related to the Diamond Princess so the public shouldn’t be panicking at this stage.

“I think people should be aware but not alarmed.

“This is the time that we need to prepare for cases that may occur for the future.”

The man had been in a stable condition earlier in the week but his condition deteriorated as the illness progressed.

Edited March 1, 2020 by niman