HK reports two more coronavirus infection cases

Hong Kong is reported to have two more patients test positive for the novel coronavirus after initial tests, according to Wong Ka-hing, controller of the Centre for Health Protection.

The two female patients, both 62, are being treated and quarantined in Tuen Mun Hospital and Prince of Wales Hospital. Both were believed to have visited Wuhan city in Hubei province 14 days before.

Hong Kong earlier confirmed two cases of infection of the pneumonia-like coronavirus, which was responsible for a outbreak in the Chinese mainland. As of noon of Jan 23, the Department of Health has received reports of a total of 176 suspected cases. Among them, 107 were ruled out as being the novel coronavirus and discharged. The remaining 67 cases, including the two confirmed patients, were in hospitals.

Wong also noted the second confirmed patient was believed to have taken a Dragonair flight from Japan on Sunday and later, another Cathay flight back to Japan. The center will follow up on those who made contact with the male patient on the airplanes.

The Hospital Authority on Friday announced it had admitted 70 suspected cases, the youngest being a 7-month-old infant, over the past 24 hours, weighing down on the availability of the wards and quarantine areas.

The authority has been talking with the city's hotels in the hope of accommodating medical professionals who have been attending to suspected cases. Their requests were turned down by some hotels.

The Education Bureau on Friday said it is mulling tightening precautions at schools, including extending Chinese New Year vacation for students to stay at home. Earlier, study tours to Wuhan were suspended by the bureau.

Across the sea, Hong Kong's neighboring city Macao has announced it would delay the start of school to Feb 10 or after for all kindergartens, primary and secondary schools. A total of 10 higher education institutions will start the new semester after Feb 11. Public libraries, museums and exhibition centers will also be shut down until further notice.