#14,867
Hong Kong announced 3 new novel coronavirus infections today, #54 - a 41 y.o. woman with exposure to a previously identified case, #55 - 70 y.o. man with history of making a 1-day trip to the mainland on Jan 22nd, and #56 - a 61 y.o. woman with no recent travel history or known exposure.
CHP investigates three additional cases of novel coronavirus infection
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) announced that as of 8pm today (February 14), the CHP is investigating three additional case of novel coronavirus infection, taking to 56 the number of confirmed cases so far in Hong Kong.
The first case involves a 41-year-old woman (the 54th case) who is the cousin of the 37-year-old male patient of the 53rd case confirmed yesterday (February 13). The patient has good past health and lives in Tai Long Wan Village, Shek O. She developed cough since February 3 and sought medical attention at Ruttonjee Hospital yesterday and was admitted for isolation and management. Her respiratory sample was tested positive for novel coronavirus and she is now in a stable condition. The patient had no travel history during the incubation period.
She had dinner with the patients of five confirmed cases (the 46th, 48th, 49th, 52nd and 53rd case) at Star Seafood Restaurant in North Point on January 26 evening. According to the preliminary epidemiological investigations by the CHP, the patient has eight household close contacts.
The second case involves a 70-year-old man (the 55th case) with underlying illnesses who lives alone in Shek Yi House, Shek Lei (II) Estate. He had a fall at home and was sent to Princess Margaret Hospital on February 12. He had developed malaise, shortness of breath and cough with sputum since February 2. At the hospital, he presented with fever and desaturation and was admitted for management. His respiratory sample was tested positive for novel coronavirus and he is now in a critical condition. The patient had a day trip to the Mainland through the Lok Ma Chau Control Point on January 22.
The third case involves a 61-year-old woman (the 56th case) with good past health who lives in 233 Wing Lok Street, Sheung Wan. She developed cough and epigastric pain since February 10, and fever and shortness of breath since February 12. The patient sought medical attention at Queen Mary Hospital yesterday and was admitted for isolation and management. Her respiratory sample was tested positive for novel coronavirus and she is now in a stable condition. The patient had no travel history during the incubation period. Her husband is asymptomatic and will be arranged for quarantine.
A spokesman for the CHP said, "According to our preliminary epidemiological investigations, some of the confirmed cases are locally infected. The CHP strongly urged the public to maintain at all times strict personal and environmental hygiene which is key to personal protection against infection and prevention of the spread of the disease in the community."
The spokesman said, "On the personal level, members of the public should wear a surgical mask when having respiratory symptoms, taking public transport or staying in crowded places. They should also perform hand hygiene frequently, especially before touching the mouth, nose or eyes. The public should go out less and reduce social activities, and maintain appropriate social distance with other people as far as possible."
"As for household environmental hygiene, members of the public are advised to maintain drainage pipes properly and regularly pour water into drain outlets (U-traps); after using the toilet, they should put the toilet lid down before flushing to avoid spreading germs."
The CHP will report the cases to the World Health Organization, National Health Commission, Health Commission of Guangdong Province and Health Bureau of Macao.
The CHP's epidemiological investigations and relevant contact tracing on the confirmed cases are ongoing. The CHP is also closely monitoring and following up on the contact tracing of relevant confirmed cases in the Mainland and overseas. Quarantine will be arranged for close contacts while medical surveillance will be arranged for other contacts. For the progress on the contact tracing of the cases, please see annex.
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