Battle for better: Secretary for Health, Welfare & Food Dr Yeoh Eng-kiong (left) called on the public to join hands in the fight against atypical pneumonia and pay attention to personal and environmental hygiene.

Ten hotlines will be set up from March 29 to better monitor the spread of atypical pneumonia.

The move will allow the Department of Health to get details from people who have contacted those suffering from the illness.

Those who visited Ward 8A of the Prince of Wales Hospital and the ninth floor of the Metropole Hotel are urged to make use of the hotline to provide details.

The remarks came from Director of Health Dr Margaret Chan at the Legislative Council today.

She said the department and the Hospital Authority have adopted from today the diagnostic test developed by the University of Hong Kong for coronavirus.

Meanwhile, a meeting is being arranged with the World Health Organisation on sharing experiences in tackling atypical pneumonia and its prevention with other countries .

It will also touch on the mechanism between Hong Kong and the Mainland for the exchange of information.

Secretary for Health, Welfare & Food Dr Yeoh Eng-kiong said the medical sector has shown their support in the fight against atypical pneumonia.

Some 2,000 volunteers have also indicated their wish to help answer public enquiries and organise health edcuation talks in the community.

Dr Yeoh said he hoped the outbreak can arouse public awareness of personal and environmental hygiene.

The Food & Environmental Hygiene Department will issue summonses instead of fixed penalty tickets of $600 to people who spit.

Also speaking in the meeting, Secretary for Education & Manpower Professor Arthur Li stressed that the Government will continue monitor closely the latest developments and see if school closures should continue, while arrangements on public examinations will be handled with flexibility.