The current Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak is a very serious problem, not only to China but essentially to the whole world.
In the last few days, the situation in China seemed to be under control, but the virus has spread quickly to over 50 countries, especially Korean, Italy and Iran.
Over three thousand people have died, more are dying and even more suffering in a way or another. We have to be on guard with the greatest concern.
Following are the official statistics of the COVID-19 outbreak as at 1st March, 2020:
| Country/Region | Total infected | Recovered | Deaths |
| China | 80,024 | 44,464 | 2,912 |
| South Korea | 3,736 | 30 | 21 |
| Italy | 1,694 | 83 | 34 |
| Iran | 978 | 175 | 54 |
| Diamond Pricess (Ship) | 705 | 10 | 7 |
| Japan | 256 | 32 | 6 |
| Other countries | 1,190 | 256 | 7 |
| Total | 88,583 | 45,078 | 3,043 |
(Sources: https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/)
The Australian responses
- Australian Emergency Health Response Plan – Amid fears the coronavirus outbreak will soon be declared a global pandemic, the Australian Government has activated its Emergency Health Response Plan.
The Plan has three levels: Low, medium and high.
Currently, it is at low level (Preparation to deal with the outbreak).
If the situation reaches the high level, the following actions will be taken place:
- Large gatherings cancelled
- People have to work from home
- Mortuary services prioritised
- Aged care homes locked down
- Childcare centres closed
- Chinese Travel Ban – The Australian Government has extended travelling ban of non-Australian residents from China to 7th March, 2020.
- Iranian Travel Ban – The Australian Government has imposed a travelling ban on non-Australian residents from Iran effective from 29 February, 2020.
Delay class for newly arrived Korean graduates at UPC
The first training session (Monday 2nd March) of the newly arrived Korean student group at UPC College has been delayed at least one week. The College is interviewing the students about their movements in Korean during the last 14 days and a decision will be made within next week about the actual commencement date of their class.
These Korean students are newly childcare graduates from Daedong College (Busan, Korea). They were awarded scholarships by the Korean Government to study UPC’s Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) course.
This is a recognition of prior learning (RPL) program which includes skills recognition, gap training and 120 hours of work placement. On successful completion of the training program, students will be awarded the Certificate III in ECEC (CHC30113).