The Novel Coronavirus Response and Coordination Centre has confirmed two new cases of COVID-19 infection, taking the tally of confirmed cases recorded in Macao to 17.

The 16th case involves a 19-year-old female resident of Macao, who had been studying in the United Kingdom. On 15 March, she – along with four other students – took Singapore Airlines flight SQ317 from London to Singapore. The now-patient was in seat number 64H. On 16 March, the five boarded Singapore Airlines flight SQ856 from Singapore to Hong Kong. The now-patient was in seat number 40B. Upon arrival at Hong Kong International Airport, one of the five students left the group in order to travel into Hong Kong. The now-patient and the remaining three students chartered a vehicle to travel to Macao via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HKZMB).

Upon arrival at the HKZMB Macao boundary crossing area, one of the remaining four – a Hong Kong resident – decided to return to Hong Kong so as to avoid 14-day quarantine measures in place in Macao for people that have been abroad – i.e. in places other than mainland China, Hong Kong and the Taiwan region – in the 14 days prior to their arrival in the city.

The now-patient and the two remaining students – also Macao residents – were instructed upon arrival at the boundary crossing, to observe a 14-day period of home quarantine. On the afternoon of 18 March, an initial test indicated a preliminary positive for COVID-19 infection. The now-patient was taken to Conde S. Januário Hospital for further examination. In the early morning today, she was confirmed as being infected with the novel coronavirus.

The patient is now being kept in isolation for treatment at Conde S. Januário Hospital. She is described as showing mild clinical signs of infection relating to the novel coronavirus. The patient herself has not complained of any feeling of sickness.

The four students who travelled with the patient have been classified as persons in close contact with that confirmed patient. The two students that are Macao residents are being kept in quarantine at the Public Health Clinical Centre in Coloane. Macao’s health authorities have provided their Hong Kong counterparts with information relating to the two Hong Kong residents that were in the original group of five travelling students.

Macao’s 17th case of COVID-19 infection involves an 11-year-old male resident of the Republic of the Indonesia. His mother was earlier confirmed as Macao’s14th case of COVID-19 infection.

On 17 March he – along with his parents – boarded Cathay Pacific flight CX718 from Jakarta to Hong Kong. He was in seat number 47E. The now-patient then travelled travel to Macao via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge.

Since he and his father had been classified as persons in close contact with the 14th patient, he was taken to Conde S. Januário Hospital, and subsequently tested positive for COVID-19.

The patient is now being kept in isolation for treatment at Conde S. Januário Hospital. He is described as showing mild clinical signs of infection relating to the novel coronavirus. The patient himself has not complained of any feeling of sickness.

His father showed signs – on afternoon of 18 March – of a fever. A first COVID-19 test was negative. A second test is due to be conducted 48 hours after the first test.

People in Macao who took the same flight as the 16th and 17th patients should call the Novel Coronavirus Response and Coordination Centre on (+853) 2870 0800.

Currently, there are seven patients being kept in isolation for treatment at Conde S. Januário Hospital. The 10 previously-confirmed cases had all been discharged after receiving treatment at the Conde S. Januário Hospital.