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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) received a report from United Christian Hospital (UCH) today (March 29) of a suspected case of Severe Respiratory Disease associated with Novel Coronavirus.
The 55-year-old man, with chronic illness, presented with fever and upper respiratory symptoms yesterday (March 28). He was admitted to UCH for isolation and treatment today. His current condition is stable.
Initial investigations by the CHP revealed that the patient travelled with wife to Italy from March 18 to 26. They took transit in Dubai and stayed in the airport for about four hours on March 27, and returned to Hong Kong on the same day. His wife is asymptomatic.
His chest X-ray was clear. Respiratory specimens were taken and laboratory test results are expected to be available tomorrow (March 30).
"The CHP will continue its surveillance mechanism with public and private hospitals, practising doctors and the airport for any suspected cases of Severe Respiratory Disease associated with Novel Coronavirus," a DH spokesman remarked.
"No human infection with this virus has been identified so far in Hong Kong," the spokesman stressed.
The spokesman advised travellers returning from novel coronavirus-affected countries with respiratory symptoms to wear face masks, seek medical attention and reveal their travel history to doctors.
The spokesman reminded members of the public to pay attention to personal hygiene, especially wash hands:
* Before touching the eyes, nose and mouth;
* Before eating or handling food;
* After using the toilets; and
* After sneezing or coughing and cleaning the nose.
For more information on personal hygiene, members of the public may visit the CHP's website:
www.chp.gov.hk/en/content/9/460/19899.html .
Ends/Friday, March 29, 2013
Issued at HKT 21:49
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