Australian citizen tests positive to COVID-19 after returning from India

An Australian citizen that arrived back into the country from India has tested positive for COVID-19.

The passenger was one of several on board the repatriated Qantas flight that landed at Darwin’s RAAF base on Saturday.

They were then transported to quarantine in Howard Springs.

Details about the latest case emerged on Monday morning.

The Territory’s acting chief health officer Dr Charles Pain said other passengers from the flight were also undergoing further testing.

“I have news this morning that probably only one — they’re still subject to further testing — but only one person has tested positive in that group,” he told the ABC.“So the testing that was done in India has clearly been effective and has had the effect that we intended, which was that people wouldn’t come on the flights if they were positive.”

The flight was the first of several repatriation flights to land in Australia following a travel ban on anyone coming from the COVID-ravaged country.

Nearly half of the 150 passengers hoping to board that flight were turned away after testing positive to the virus or being deemed close contacts to a case.

Shortly after, claims emerged the Indian laboratory that tested several Australians for COVID‐19 before they boarded the flight had its accreditation suspended in April.

The test results led to several people being banned from flying home, who later tested negative for the virus.

Qantas is now investigating the claims to ensure the Indian facilities meets its regulatory standards.

“We have reiterated to our diagnostic agency that they must ensure that any laboratory they use has all current and appropriate accreditations,” a spokeswoman said.

“We continue to work with DFAT (the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade) to ensure the process is working as it should.”

More to come