Authorities have confirmed that two more people have tested positive for the Wuhan coronavirus, bringing the total number of cases in Hong Kong to 24.
The two latest cases were mentioned by health officials at a press briefing yesterday as preliminary positives, but officials wanted to carry out further tests before officially confirming the patients as having the virus.
In a statement published last night, the Centre for Health Protection confirmed that the additional cases comprise two women aged 63 and 65, and that neither had traveled outside of Hong Kong during the incubation period, meaning that both caught the virus locally.
The 63-year-old — case 23 — started feeling unwell on Jan. 26, and initially went to see a Chinese medicine practitioner. She then went to see a private doctor on Feb. 5, and on the same day sought treatment at Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital where she was admitted for management.
Officials confirmed she lives in Ko Mong Building on Shau Kei Wan Road with her son and granddaughter, and during the incubation period she visited her husband in the Lai To Home For The Aged in Sai Wan Ho. All her family members have been put into quarantine.
Case 24 is a 65-year-old woman who developed a cough and fever on Jan. 28, and went to see a private doctor on Jan. 29 and Feb. 1. On Wednesday, she went to the Prince of Wales Hospital and was also admitted for management.
She lives alone in Sui Shek House in Shek Mun Estate, Sha Tin, but the CHP are urging the taxi driver that took her to the hospital to get in touch.
In other news, the CHP also gave an update on the 3,600 people being quarantined on a cruise ship at the Kai Tak cruise terminal.
While 33 crew members tested negative for the novel coronavirus, another crew member had to be taken to the hospital after developing a fever on Tuesday night.
One passenger was also taken to hospital for treatment after developing a fever, while a further eight reported having mild respiratory symptoms.
