GENERAL ANGUS CAMPBELL, AO, DSC
Chief of the Defence Force
GREG MORIARTY
Secretary of the Department of Defence
JOINT STATEMENT
ADF CONFIRMS TWO CASES OF COVID-19 VIRUS
Two members of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) are confirmed to have contracted the COVID-19 virus. Having tested positive to COVID-19, they have been isolated.
Efforts to trace any contact are focussed on the two officers travelling to a meeting at Defence Headquarters, Russell, ACT on 28 February 2020.
Defence is cooperating with NSW and ACT Health authorities to contact, isolate, test and support persons involved.
As a necessary precautionary measure to address the increasing risk of COVID-19 infection within Defence and the general community, any Defence personnel and those working in Defence establishments who present with cold/flu like symptoms will remove themselves from the workplace and arrange with their local health centre or GP for testing for COVID-19.
Furthermore, all ADF, Defence APS and contractors contacted by State or Federal Health authorities as part of COVID-19 case tracking, will provide all assistance possible.
This is consistent with the Federal Government's commitment to active, early and continuing support to public health efforts to contain COVID-19, and to work in partnership with the States and Territories.
