Dutton hit by virus Minister in hospital after COVID-19 test

CORONAVIRUS has disrupted the Australian Cabinet, with Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton becoming the first Australian politician to test positive to COVID-19.

But the Prime Minister’s Office says it will not have implications for the rest of the national leadership team, despite the senior minister attending a Cabinet meeting days earlier.

Advice to Prime Minister Scott Morrison is that he is not required to undergo testing at this time, but he will no longer attend the Cronulla Sharks

INVENTORS’ PARADISE game today as viously planned.

Mr Dutton ( pictured) had been in Sunday, Washington where DC he until had i rubbed shoulders with h US President Donald d Trump’s daughter Ivan- ka Trump.

He had also been in meetings with US Attorney-general William Barr and other top security officials.

Foreign Minister Marise Payne was also in the US until Thursday, where she was pre- - m meeting with US co counterparts and A Australian business re representatives.

The Home Affa fairs Minister retu turned to Brisbane on Sunday and atte tended a Cabinet meeting with his colleagues in Sydney on Sunday, but was not showing symptoms.

Mr Dutton did not attend a meeting of the smaller National Security Committee in Canberra on Thursday, having dialled in to the group’s discusld sion instead via a video link.

It is understood the Minister began to feel unwell late Thursday evening or yesterday morning, calling a doctor when a fever began.

The senior Cabinet minister was in hospital, following protocols around the disease, releasing a statement confirming his condition.

“This morning I woke up with a temperature and sore throat,” Mr Dutton said.

“I immediately contacted the Queensland Department of Health and was subsequently tested for COVID-19.

“I was advised by Queensland Health this afternoon that the test had returned positive.

“It is the policy of Queensland Health that anyone who tests positive is to be admitted into hospital and I have complied with their advice.”

Mr Dutton said he felt fine and would provide an update in due course.

A spokesman for the Prime Minister’s Office said there was no need for other members of Cabinet to self-isolate at this stage.