Patient cleared after virus alert
Mary Ann Benitez
Thursday, November 08, 2012
A 59-year-old Hong Kong man who became ill after visiting Mecca and other Saudi Arabian cities has tested negative for the novel coronavirus associated with severe respiratory disease, the Centre for Health Protection said.
The patient, whose ethnicity was not disclosed, remains in serious condition at Princess Margaret Hospital.
He complained of fever, coughing and shortness of breath on Tuesday before seeking treatment at Princess Margaret Hospital where he was admitted to the isolation ward early yesterday morning.
The man traveled to Jeddah on October 9 and then to Medina and Mecca - a destination for the annual Hajj pilgrimage - before returning to Hong Kong a week ago today. "He was not exposed to wild animals during his stay in Saudi Arabia. His travel collaterals and home contacts are all asymptomatic," a center spokesman said.
He is the third person to be tested and announced as a suspected novel coronavirus case...
