a large passenger jet flying through a cloudy sky: Passengers on board a Virgin Australia flight from Melbourne to Tasmania have been told to self-isolate after sharing a plane with a coronavirus infected patient © Provided by Daily Mail Passengers on board a Virgin Australia flight from Melbourne to Tasmania have been told to self-isolate after sharing a plane with a coronavirus infected patient Passengers onboard a Virgin Australia flight from Melbourne to Tasmania have been told to self-isolate after sharing a plane with a coronavirus infected patient.

A 40-year-old man had been travelling on a Virgin Australia flight VA1368 from Melbourne to Launceston on Saturday and has since tested positive to the disease.

The man had recently been in Iran and there were 140 passengers on board the same flight. 

The 40-year-old was in a stable condition at Launceston General Hospital on Tuesday night. 

Deputy Director of Public Health Dr Scott McKeown said health services had received 30 calls on Tuesday night for people who needed to be assessed. 

Pictures: Coronavirus (COVID 19) outbreak

'Today, as a result, we have been contacting and tracing more than 140 people that were on that flight,' he said, The Examiner reported.

'Particularly focusing on 15 people who had the closest contact with the confirmed case on that flight.'  

Dr McKeown said the greatest fears were for passengers who were sitting in the two rows behind and in front of the man. 

Two passengers on board the flight told 3AW they were instructed to isolate themselves at home for two weeks. 

'(A government nurse) said everybody seated within three metres (of the coronavirus carrier had been contacted),' Kim, a passenger onboard told 3AW hosts Ross and John.

Another passenger, Rose, had flown to Tasmania to stay with a friend for a holiday but now says she has to stay there for two weeks. 

a group of people wearing costumes: A 40-year-old man was confirmed to have contracted the disease after landing in Tasmania on Saturday (pictured: officials prepare to disinfect cabin at Thailand's Bangkok airport) © Provided by Daily Mail A 40-year-old man was confirmed to have contracted the disease after landing in Tasmania on Saturday (pictured: officials prepare to disinfect cabin at Thailand's Bangkok airport) 'I'm in quarantine for 14 days but this is not my home, I'm on holidays. I'm staying at a close friend's home,' she said.

Rose said she explained to her friend she had to be quarantined but noted she wasn't contagious.

'I got a call from a health nurse saying that I'm not contagious unless I showed symptoms and if I did I had to call a government number,' she said.

Dr McKeown said tests had been completed on some of the passengers with results expected to be completed within the next two days.

A Virgin Australian spokesperson said they had provided details of passengers to the Tasmanian Department of Health.

'Virgin Australia is working closely with the Tasmanian Department of Health after being notified that a passenger travelling on VA1368 from Melbourne to Launceston on 29 February has tested positive to coronavirus,' the spokesperson said.

a man holding a wine glass: Travellers are pictured wearing protective face masks at Brisbane International Airport on January 29 (pictured) © Provided by Daily Mail Travellers are pictured wearing protective face masks at Brisbane International Airport on January 29 (pictured) 'The passenger was travelling alone on his booking, and had arrived in Melbourne from Iran via Malaysia.

'We have provided passenger details to the Tasmanian Department of Health to contact all passengers who were on the flight.'

The spokesperson also said the crew on board was contacted.  

'Based on medical advice we have received, the risk of contracting coronavirus is low for other passengers who travelled on this aircraft,' they said.

'However, the Tasmanian Department of Health will be working closely with these passengers on any concerns and we have taken the added measure of thoroughly cleaning this aircraft.'  

The Tasmanian Government has urged anyone who was on the flight who is feeling unwell to contact the public health hotline on 1800 671 738. 

There are currently 41 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Australia. 

At Microsoft News Australia we've partnered with the giving platform Benevity to raise funds for UNICEF: Donate now and help health workers in the battle against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Coronavirus Health Information Line
Call 1800 020 080 if you are seeking information on novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The line operates Monday–Friday from 8am to 8pm, Saturdays from 8am to 5pm, and Sundays from 9am to 5pm. 

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