HK vigilant on coronavirus: health chief

March 17, 2013

Secretary for Food & Health Dr Ko Wing-man says no human novel coronavirus infection has been identified in Hong Kong so far, and urged the public not to spread unverified news.
 
Speaking to the media today, Dr Ko said the Government is transparent on the issue and will announce any information about suspected cases and test results related to novel coronavirus.
 
Regarding a report saying that not all the patients with the new virus would display serious clinical symptoms, Dr Ko said this is common to all infectious diseases.
 
He said patients with any disease may demonstrate a wide range of clinical symptoms, from very severe to none at all.
 
“I would like to reiterate that this is a common phenomenon for all infectious diseases. This would remind all of us, including our clinical staff, that we always have to maintain a high level of alert and vigilance,” he said. 
 
Regarding individual private hospital fee adjustments, Dr Ko said the Government will not impose restrictions on price levels, and hopes they could be adjusted by the market.
 
Dr Ko also said he understood the public concern about domestic violence cases which sometimes involved recovering psychiatric patients. He said the patients’ condition might change when they are released from hospital, and there are tracking methods for patients who are evaluated as high risk.