New novel coronavirus case monitored

February 22, 2013

The Department of Health is monitoring the world’s 13th confirmed novel coronavirus case, which Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health reported to the World Health Organisation.
 
The patient was hospitalised on January 29 and died on February 10. Laboratory tests confirmed it as a novel coronavirus case on February 18.
 
To date, six of the 13 global cases have been from Saudi Arabia, including four of seven fatal ones.
 
The Centre for Health Protection will seek more information on this case from the WHO and relevant health authorities.
 
Locally, laboratory surveillance for the novel coronavirus will be enhanced starting from today. Irrespective of travel history, routine testing for the disease will be carried out on cases of pneumonia with unknown cause, pneumonia cases requiring intensive care, clusters of pneumonia or healthcare workers with pneumonia.
 
No human infections with the virus have been identified so far in Hong Kong.
 
The centre advises travellers with respiratory symptoms returning from affected countries to wear a face mask and seek medical attention.