The two patients in Macao confirmed to be infected by a novel coronavirus are both in a stable condition and being treated in medical isolation at the Conde S. Januário Hospital.

As of 5pm Friday (24 January), Macao had not seen further cases of infection involving the newly-identified coronavirus linked to the viral pneumonia outbreak in Wuhan, Hubei Province.

Macao’s Novel Coronavirus Response and Coordination Centre held a press conference on Friday to present updates on the local situation, and local responses to control the disease and prevent it from spreading into the community.

Macao has been working closely with neighbouring Zhuhai to detect – at respective checkpoints – any people that might have illness relating to this particular coronavirus.

In view of the disease-control measures taken on the mainland, there was no sign that a significant number of Wuhan residents could be visiting Macao in the near term, and eventually seeking medical treatment in Macao.

During the period from 5pm on 23 January, to 5pm on 24 January, Conde S. Januário Hospital had received a total of 24 patients – 12 males and 12 females –with symptoms of illness similar to those displayed by people with Wuhan pneumonia virus infection. Of the 24, six were mainland residents, and the other 18 either Macao locals or from Hong Kong. Tests confirmed eight of the patients were clear of the disease. Tests on the remaining 16 people were still ongoing.

At present, there was a total of 10 people (four males and six females) identified as having had close contact with one or other of the two patients confirmed as infected. None of the close contacts showed signs of fever or other symptoms.

Regarding the local supply of protective face masks, a further batch of 3.87 million had been delivered to Macao on Friday evening. On Thursday, deliveries of 9.8 million such masks had arrived in Macao. The masks are reserved for purchase by either Macao residents or non-resident workers. Holders of relevant cards confirming such status are each entitled to buy a maximum of 10 face masks. They are permitted to buy another 10 masks once 10 days have elapsed from the original purchase.

Up to 6pm on Friday, there had been a total of 95,568 individuals that had purchased face masks at one of the 56 Health Bureau-accredited pharmacies in Macao under the reserved sales scheme.

To ensure the availability – for sale to the Macao public – of protective face masks during the Lunar New Year holidays, seven accredited pharmacies, eight health centres and two health stations would remain open during the period of Saturday to Monday (i.e., 25 to 27 January).