Press Releases
SFH on additional overseas case of Severe Respiratory Disease associated with Novel Coronavirus
Following is the transcript of remarks (English portion) made by the
Secretary for Food and Health, Dr Ko Wing-man, after officiating at a
ceremony to mark the 2013 World Tuberculosis Day this afternoon (March
24):
Reporter: (On the latest case of Severe Respiratory Disease associated
with Novel Coronavirus reported to the World Health Organization by
the Ministry of Health of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia)
Secretary for Food and Health: The World Health Organization (WHO) has
just informed our Centre for Health Protection that there is now a
16th case of new Novel Coronavirus causing severe respiratory disease.
This patient is a contact of the 15th case (announced by the WHO on
March 12). We are trying to contact the WHO and other regional
authorities to get more information on this case. On the other hand,
in Hong Kong, there are from time to time patients returning from the
affected areas who have symptoms fulfilling the clinical criteria of
the new Novel Coronavirus infection. This morning, there is a
four-year-old girl, who is a tourist from Qatar, has presented
clinical symptoms fulfilling the criteria of new Novel Coronavirus
infection. We have conducted rapid tests on this girl. Up to this
moment, her specimens had been tested positive for Adenovirus but we
cannot rule out the possibility of other coincidental infections,
including the new Novel Coronavirus. We are waiting for the results of
the rapid tests on Coronavirus which will be available in a few hours'
time. I have to renew our appeal to all Hong Kong people to remain
vigilant and adopt good personal hygiene practices and healthy
lifestyle.
Reporter: (On the condition of the 4-year old girl in local hospital)
Secretary for Food and Health: This girl was treated firstly in a
private hospital and was subsequently referred to the public hospital.
(Please also refer to the
Chinese
portion of the transcript)
Ends/Sunday, March 24, 2013
Issued at HKT 17:46
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