Coronavirus: Father of singer Missy Higgins saw 70 patients before testing positive

The father of singer Missy Higgins had contact with 70 patients in Victoria after testing positive to the coronavirus COVID-19.

Dr Chris Higgins is the eleventh person in Victoria to contract the disease, Health Minister Jenny Mikakos announced today.

Dr Higgins, who is in his 70s and from the Melbourne suburb of Toorak, displayed mild symptoms on a flight from the United States.

He is now in home isolation.

"He most likely acquired his infection in the United States," Ms Mikakos said.

"He became unwell with a runny nose on an internal flight from Denver to San Francisco on February 27."

He then flew from San Francisco to Melbourne on United Airlines Flight 0060, arriving at about 9.30am last Saturday.

Over the next five days, Dr Higgins consulted about 70 patients at a clinic on Malvern Road in Toorak.

"I have to say I am flabbergasted that a doctor that has flu-like symptoms has presented to work," Ms Mikakos said.

"Our advice to the community is that if you have returned from overseas and are experiencing cold or flu-like symptoms than please stay home, do not go to work, you should self isolate."

She said it was irresponsible for anyone to go to work if they are unwell, not just health care workers.

Those patients have been notified this morning via text message or phone call.

He also attended two patients at a nursing home in Malvern, and they have been placed in isolation in their rooms.

The clinic in Toorak has been closed until further notice, and all patients seen there in the past week will be required to self-isolate at home for 14 days.

"In addition, a number of other close contacts of the doctor, including work colleagues, will be placed in self isolation for a period of 14 days," Ms Mikakos said.

"There are no other public exposure sites for this case."

The Victorian Health Department is now trying to obtain the flight manifest from Flight 0060 so other passengers can be notified.

The minister confirmed that two suspected coronavirus cases from international students in Shepparton have tested negative.

Four special coronavirus clinics have now been opened in Melbourne to reduce the strain on emergency departments and GP clinics.

Victoria has not yet had a single local transmission of coronavirus.