Hong Kong authorities confirmed at least seven nCoV infections related to Fook Wai Ching She Pagoda in the special zone.

Hong Kong Special Zone Health Officials yesterday announced two cases of nCoV infection confirmed on February 25 involving six people infected with the virus after visiting Fook Wai Ching She Temple in late January and early February. .

The two new cases include a 55-year-old woman and a 24-year-old son. The woman, who lives in North Point on Hong Kong Island, had symptoms of cough on February 17 and was taken to Ruttonjee Hospital for treatment yesterday, according to a statement from the Hong Kong Health Protection Center (CHP).

In early February, the patient went to Fook Wai Ching She Temple on Hong Kong Island and met her 57-year-old sister. This person was confirmed to be infected with nCoV on February 24.

Her 24-year-old son is infected with nCoV but has no symptoms and has never been to the temple, most likely infected by her mother. Both of them are in stable condition.

The CHP investigation showed that the 55-year-old woman is the 7th nCoV-infected patient directly related to Fook Wai Ching She Temple. Dr. Chuang Shuk-kwan, leader of CHP's infectious disease department, said the agency collected 33 biological samples on handrails, elevators, chairs and souvenir cups from Fook Wai Ching She Temple for research.

All specimens in public areas were negative, but samples from Buddhist scriptures and bathroom faucets were positive for nCoV, Chuang said.

Of the 7 patients who have been to this temple, 6 came here on February 8. They spend many hours chanting in the same room, eating together in another room and not wearing masks. Chuang contends that such conditions put Buddhists at high risk of nCoV infection.

The Fook Wai Ching She Temple was closed while investigations were ongoing.

"This temple is managed by volunteers and has no registration system, so it is very difficult to find people who come to each temple. We call upon people who have been to this temple since February 25. , call the hotline number so we can get medical checkups, "Chuang said.

CHP received calls from more than 200 people who have been to the temple, 32 of whom were taken to isolation centers, while the rest were under medical supervision.

The Covid-19 outbreak has been reported in 46 countries and territories after the outbreak in Wuhan, China in December 2019. Worldwide, at least 2,800 deaths have been reported, more than 82,000 people have been infected with nCoV and more than 32,000 have recovered. 91 people were positive for nCoV in Hong Kong, including two died.