30 Patients with 'Unknown Cause' Pneumonia in Hong Kong Reach 30

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] Amid the spread of an unexplained pneumonia outbreak originating in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, the number of patients showing related symptoms in Hong Kong has increased to 30.

According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP) on the 8th (local time), a female student from Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, who recently visited Wuhan, developed symptoms such as fever and cough and was hospitalized and isolated for treatment last night. Her condition has since stabilized. The dormitory where she stayed was immediately closed.

Including this female student, the total number of patients in Hong Kong who have visited Wuhan within the last 14 days and exhibited suspected symptoms such as fever, respiratory infection, or pneumonia has risen to 30.

However, many patients have improved, and as of today, a total of 13 have been discharged.

The Hong Kong government amended the Prevention and Control of Disease Ordinance on the same day to designate "respiratory diseases caused by serious new infectious pathogens" as a legally notifiable infectious disease to ensure thorough epidemic prevention.

Accordingly, medical personnel must immediately report patients related to Wuhan pneumonia to the authorities, and suspected patients must undergo isolation treatment under medical staff instructions. Refusal may result in up to six months imprisonment and a fine of 5,000 Hong Kong dollars (approximately 750,000 KRW). Authorities have stated that police will be deployed if patients refuse isolation treatment.

Meanwhile, one patient showing related symptoms has been reported domestically. According to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on the same day, the patient is a woman in her 30s of Chinese nationality.

The KCDC has classified the patient as a "subject under investigation with symptoms" and is conducting isolation treatment and testing. A subject under investigation with symptoms refers to a person who has visited Wuhan City, China, and developed pneumonia within 14 days.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.