The Novel Coronavirus Response and Coordination Centre has confirmed a new case of COVID-19 infection, involving a 26-year-old female citizen of the Republic of Korea who works in Macao.

The patient is now being kept in isolation for treatment at Conde S. Januário Hospital. She is described as showing moderate symptoms of infection relating to the novel coronavirus. Her boyfriend, a Portuguese passport holder, has been classified as a person that has been in close contact with the patient.

On 30 January, the patient and her boyfriend left Macao for Porto, Portugal, to visit the man’s family. On 13 March, they took flights from Porto to Dubai then to Hong Kong. The Dubai to Hong Kong flight was EK380, operated by Emirates airline. The patient was in seat number 31J. The couple arrived in Macao at 00:30 on 14 March. The patient had mild coughing on 14 March and fever on 15 March. On the afternoon of 15 March, she attended Conde S. Januário Hospital and subsequently tested positive for COVID-19.

The Municipal Affairs Bureau has sent a cleaning team to disinfect public areas of the patient’s residence located at Tower 5 of the One Oasis housing complex, in Seac Pai Van.

The Health Bureau has been conducting a follow-up investigation of her epidemiological history and identifying other people that might have had contact with her. People who either took the same flight to Hong Kong, or had met the patient recently, should call the Novel Coronavirus Response and Coordination Centre on (+853) 2870 0800.

Up until time the new case was reported, Macao had not recorded any COVID-19 infection cases since 5 February. The 10 previous confirmed cases had all been discharged after receiving treatment at the Conde S. Januário Hospital.