Australian Defence Force officer in PNG tests positive to coronavirus

An Australian defence force officer is isolating in Papua New Guinea after testing positive to COVID-19.

The Australian flag is seen on an Australian Defence Force (ADF) uniform.

The Australian flag is seen on an Australian Defence Force (ADF) uniform. Source: AAP

An Australian defence force officer has tested positive to coronavirus while posted in Papua New Guinea.

The officer, who has been in PNG since January, self-isolated on 5 June after reporting cold and flu-like symptoms.

They will stay in isolation until cleared by doctors, the Department of Defence says.
"The High Commission has conducted contact tracing and provided this information to the PNG Government," Defence said in a statement.

Another five defence force officers were last month flown home after contracting coronavirus in the Middle East.

Personnel serving in the region were tested after a number of local contractors became infected with the virus.


Share
Published 21 June 2020 8:14am
Updated 21 June 2020 9:01am


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world