The Novel Coronavirus Response and Coordination Centre has confirmed a new case of imported COVID-19 infection, taking to 31 the tally of confirmed cases in Macao. Two other people have tested positive – on a preliminary basis – for novel coronavirus-related infection.

The newly-confirmed case – i.e., the 31st – involves a 27-year-old male Macao resident, who had returned from the United States. He took a Cathay Pacific flight from New York, and arrived on 25 March (Wednesday) at Hong Kong International Airport. He then boarded a Government-chartered coach to Macao from Hong Kong International Airport via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao (HKZM) Bridge to the HKZM Bridge Macao boundary crossing area. During checkpoint formalities there, a fever was detected in the now-patient and he was immediately taken to Conde S. Januário Hospital for examination. A test result available today confirmed he is infected with the novel coronavirus.

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. Further details of the case are due to be available later.

One of the two new instances of suspected COVID-19 infection involves a 31-year-old male resident of Republic of the Philippines, who is a non-resident worker registered with the Macao authorities.

On 17 March, he travelled from the Philippines to Macao via Hong Kong. Upon arrival in Macao, he was directed to observe – under existing epidemic-control measures in place in Macao – a 14-day period of health observation at home. A test conducted today showed a preliminary positive result. He reported that during the period of self-isolation at home, he had neither gone to work nor left the premises. He stayed in a room separate from the rest of the home, with an en-suite bathroom. He reported he had not met with anyone during the isolation period.

The man has been taken to Conde S. Januário Hospital for further examination.

The other suspected instance of infection noted today, involves a 37-year-old female resident of Republic of the Philippines, who is a non-resident worker registered with the Macao authorities.

On 17 March, she travelled from the Philippines to Macao via Hong Kong. Upon arrival, she was directed to observe – under existing epidemic-control measures in place in Macao – a 14-day period of health observation at home. A test conducted today showed a preliminary positive result for COVID-19 infection. She reported that during the period of self-isolation at home, she had neither gone to work nor left the premises. She stayed in a room dedicated for her use during the period of self-isolation and claimed she had not met with anyone during the isolation period.

The 37-year-old has been taken to Conde S. Januário Hospital for further examination. She is described as showing mild clinical signs of infection relating to the novel coronavirus. She has not complained of any feeling of illness.

There are 21 patients in Macao confirmed currently to have COVID-19 infection and who are being kept in isolation for treatment at Conde S. Januário Hospital. The 10 previously-confirmed cases in Macao have all been discharged after receiving treatment at Conde S. Januário Hospital.