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A spokesman for the Department of Health (DH) today (April 5) provided an update on the suspected case of Severe Respiratory Disease associated with Novel Coronavirus.
Preliminary laboratory test results for the respiratory specimens of the 37-year-old woman last night (April 4) were negative for Novel Coronavirus associated with Severe Respiratory Disease.
The woman, with good past health, travelled to Turkey and Dubai from March 24 to 31. She presented with fever, headache and shortness of breath since April 1 and was isolated in Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Her current condition is stable.
"The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the DH 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.
"We would like to reassure the public that the Government will be as transparent as possible in the dissemination of information on cases of Severe Respiratory Disease associated with Novel Coronavirus. Whenever there is a suspected case, particularly involving patients with travel history to the Middle East and the affected areas, the CHP will release information to the public as soon as possible." the spokesman added.
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 washing hands:
* Before touching the eyes, nose and mouth;
* Before eating or handling food;
* After using the toilet; 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, April 5, 2013
Issued at HKT 11:39
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