Public urged to avoid gatherings as HK confirms 3 new virus cases

Hong Kong on Thursday confirmed three more cases of novel coronavirus pneumonia infection, bringing the total tally to 53.

One of the latest patients is a 43-year-old man who works at an insurance company in Yau Ma Tei and lives in Tuen Mun, said Chuang Shuk-kwan, head of the Communicable Disease Branch of the Centre for Health Protection, at a daily news briefing on the epidemic.

The patient is a relative of the 47th patient, whose infection was confirmed on Tuesday. The two patients had a meal with 11 other people at a home, Chuang said.

The other two new patients are a 67-year-old woman and her 37-year-old son. Both had dinner at a seafood restaurant in North Point on Jan 26 with three people, who were later tested positive for the disease, accoridng to the Department of Health.

The Centre for Health Protection said both patients had no travel history during the incubation period.

Citing the growing number of infections found to have spread at gatherings around the Spring Festival holiday, Chuang urged the public to avoid unnecessary social activities.

The man had gone to work when he was ill. His close contacts, including colleagues and clients, will be put under medical observation, Chuang said.

According to the Hospital Authority Chief Manager (Patient Safety and Risk Management) Sara Ho, out of the 51 confirmed cases in Hong Kong, one patient has passed away, one has been cured and discharged from the hospital, while 49 remain hospitalized, including four in critical condition and five in serious condition.

For the 40 patients in stable condition, the Hospital Authority and the CHP will make careful assessment and tests before arranging for their discharge.