Government intensifies caution on coronavirus

Despite zero human infection in Hong Kong.

According to a report, Centre for Health Protection Controller Dr Leung Ting-hung has called on doctors to watch for patients with novel coronavirus signs, saying early symptoms may not be respiratory.

Dr Leung issued the caution at a press conference today, after Saudi Arabia and France reported coronavirus cases to the World Health Organisation last week.

He said those infected with coronavirus may initially show atypical symptoms, such as diarrhoea. He asked doctors to pay special attention to immunocompromised patients and those with underlying medical conditions.

The centre will write to public and private hospitals and practising doctors reminding them to be on high alert for suspected cases.

The French and Saudi Arabian cases were tied to an outbreak at a healthcare facility.

There have been 34 confirmed cases globally since September, including 20 deaths, with most cases occurring in the Middle East.

Hospital Authority Associate Consultant of the Chief Infection Control Officer's Office Dr Vivien Chuang said the authority has adopted an early-notification, early-detection and early-isolation strategy to handle suspected cases.

Medical staff will wear personal protective equipment when dealing with these patients, and isolation beds with individual toilets will be provided.

The pair advised travellers feeling ill after returning from coronavirus-affected areas to seek medical attention and reveal their travel history to doctors.

No human infection with the virus has so far been identified in Hong Kong.