Australia’s chief medical officer has warned there will likely be more cases of the deadly coronavirus confirmed in the country, as the federal government explores plans to evacuate Australian citizens from the pandemic’s epicentre in central China.

Australia’s chief medical officer, Professor Brendan Murphy, said more cases were likely, following the confirmation of four cases.

NSW Health said yesterday a fourth person had tested positive, according to their preliminary test results, though more follow-up was needed.

Three men are in hospital in Sydney after flying in from China, while another man in his 50s is being treated in Melbourne.

Coronavirus has killed 56 people in China and the city of Wuhan, the epicentre of the illness, remains in lockdown.

Almost 2,000 people have been infected with the virus in China, and cases have been also been confirmed in Thailand, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, France, Malaysia and the United States.

Murphy told reporters there is no cause for general concern in Australia.

He says he would not be surprised if there are some more cases, it’s highly likely that they may see them some more.

He adds they are incredibly well prepared to isolate and deal with that.

[Source: The Guardian]