Tens of thousands of people gathered around the country on the weekend as part of the Black Lives Matter movement, going against advice from Australia’s Chief Medical Officer.
Many protesters wore masks, but there wasn’t a lot of social distancing in the crowds.
Let’s unpack how this could affect Australia’s coronavirus case count.
I went to a protest — could I have caught coronavirus?
Possibly.
Deputy Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly on Sunday said community transmission was low, but warned there was the potential for asymptomatic carriers to spread the virus to others without realising it.
“This virus is very, very infectious,” the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) said in a statement.
“Australians are reminded that in our recent past a single person infected more than 35 others.
“COVID-19 is transmitted via close contact, and large crowds and gatherings greatly increase the risk of infection, as the ability to maintain physical distancing is reduced.”
That’s why it’s important to talk to a doctor about getting tested if you have any of the symptoms, such as fever, a dry cough, fatigue or a sore throat.
When we will know if cases came from the protests?
It could take up to two weeks, Deputy Chief Medical Officer Nick Coatsworth said Monday.
At the moment, the World Health Organization says it takes an average of five to six days for symptoms to arise.
But it could be a week or two before people realise they’re sick and go to be tested.
Depending on the patien