CORONAVIRUS victim Senator Susan McDonald says it remains a mystery as to where she picked up the virus, as she had no contact with anyone known to have the illness.
Subscribe now for unlimited access to all our agricultural news
across the nation
or signup to continue reading
Ms McDonald said she had not had contact with Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton, who was diagnosed with coronavirus after he returned home from the United States last week. Mr Dutton was released from hospital yesterday to self isolate at home.
Ms McDonald also moved to allay fears in the community, saying she had not attended the Cowboys versus Broncos match which attracted a crowd to almost 22,500 people at Townsville's new Queensland Country Bank Stadium on Friday night.
Ms McDonald felt unwell on Friday night and attended the Townsville University Hospital emergency department, where she was tested for coronavirus.
She went home and remained in isolation until her result came back positive on Monday, when she returned to hospital for treatment.
"I have not had contact with Minister Peter Dutton," Ms McDonald said.
"Where I contracted the virus remains unclear.
I also want to confirm that I did not attend the Cowboys-Broncos game on Friday night, nor any other events over the weekend and remained in home isolation until the test results came back, after which I was admitted to hospital."
Ms McDonald said she was feeling quite well and thanked the community for their support.
"I want to sincerely thank everyone for their messages of support, from media, colleagues, friends and members of the public," Ms McDonald said.
"I had very mild symptoms, currently feel well, and am most fortunate.
"I am very grateful for the specialist doctors and nurses in Townsville, their incredible skills and the support of all Townsville Hospital staff."
Ms McDonald apologised for the concern her illness has caused.
"I'm sincerely sorry for the stress and concern this has created in the community, and encourage everyone to continue observing normal personal hygiene such as washing hands thoroughly and often, keeping 1.5m distance, covering coughs and sneezes, and disposing of tissues quickly."
Ms McDonald's diagnosis has prompted politicians and community leaders who came into contact with her last week to seek medical advice and self isolate.
She attended a North Queensland Agribusiness Futures Forum in Townsville on Thursday, which attracted high-profile community leaders from across the region.
Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto has a light cold and was tested for coronavirus this morning.
Townsville Enterprise CEO Patricia O'Callaghan and two TEL staff members have also been tested and are awaiting results.
Others who came into contact with Ms McDonald, including Charters Towers Mayor Liz Schmidt and deputy Sonia Bennetto, Hinchinbrook Shire Councillor Andrew Cripps and two councillors and the CEO of Flinders Shire Council are isolating at home as a precaution.
