Victorian health minister Jenny Mikakos  took to social media on Saturday to say she was “flabbergasted” that a Melbourne doctor had continued to treat patients while presenting “flu-like” symptoms following a trip to the US.

The doctor reportedly developed a runny nose on an internal flight from Denver to San Francisco on 27 February and then flew from San Francisco to Melbourne on flight UA0060 arriving at 9.30am on 29 February.

The GP identified as Dr Chris Higgins responded to the minister’s blast posting on her Facebook page that he was “upset about the inaccuracies and unfairness” of her comments. His response was supported by several of his colleagues disappointed at his treatment. Many condemned her handling of the case and the revelation of his identity.

Also read: 31 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Greece

In response, Ms Mikakos made another post defending the announcement of Victoria’s eleventh confirmed case of coronavirus.

“We are facing unique challenges with COVID-19 which is why it is important, now more than ever, that those who are unwell stay at home and avoid contact with others,” she wrote.

“GPs play an integral role in our response to COVID-19 and I will continue working with the federal government to ensure they have all the support they need including access to the national stockpile of PPE and MBS item numbers for Telehealth consultations.”

“We will always protect patient privacy. However we have a public health duty to the wider community to provide information about exposure points, which require details such as business locations and flights to be made public to allow for contact tracing.”

“I know this can be very challenging and distressing for those involved and I am deeply sympathetic to this, but public safety has to be our priority.”

Dr Higgins who is also the father of Australian singer Missy Higgins said that he had a mild cold which had almost resolved itself by Monday morning, “hence my decision to return to work”.
“I hesitated to do a swab,” he explained, “because I did not fulfil your criteria for testing but did one anyway on Thursday evening for the sake of completeness, not imagining for one moment it would turn out positive.”

“I believe you have taken a cheap opportunity for political grandstanding and would appreciate an apology,” he wrote to Ms Mikakos.

Meanwhile, in a joint letter sent to Ms Mikakos and federal health minister Greg Hunt, doctors’ representatives claimed to have never received equipment to protect themselves and patients.

“We know from the experience of other countries that many doctors have become sick and died in the course of doing their jobs in this outbreak. We are already struggling to come up with plans on how to look after our patients while minimising the risk to ourselves, our patients and our loved ones.”

“The way you treated our colleague today has given us little confidence that we have support from our health minister,” the letter said.

Also read: Coronavirus myths debunked: Beards, breathing self-tests and bacteria in Chinese parcels

Apart from the Toorak Clinic in Malvern Road, Dr Higgins also treated two patients at aged-care facility MecwaCare. The facilities have been closed and all patients who came into contact with the doctor, as well as clinic staff, are required to self-isolate for 14 days.

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is contacting them via text message and email with contact details for further advice and they will be monitoring them for signs and symptoms.

The DHHS is also trying to obtain passenger details from the flight the doctor was on, however, a passenger on the same flight who wishes to remain anonymous, said nobody had contacted him.

“I found out about all this when I read the article online, the airline hadn’t called me,” he said adding that he called the hotline himself and was told that because he’s not presenting with symptoms there is no need for testing.

“I have no idea if I sat near this man or not, it’s probably unlikely, but I’m not sure. Instead I was asked to isolate myself for seven days since it’s already been a week, which I’ll do.

“It was all quite underwhelming. I thought they’d be sending down an ambulance with a police escort,”
he added.
 If you suspect you or a family member has coronavirus you should call (not visit) your GP or ring the national Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.
The symptoms of coronavirus include fever, cough, sore throat, headache, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties.