The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     As at noon today, in the past 24 hours, public hospitals have admitted two female patients who have been to Wuhan in the past 14 days and presented with fever and respiratory infections or pneumonia symptoms, aged 12 and 41. Both patients are now being treated in isolation in Princess Margaret Hospital. The Hospital Authority (HA) has reported the cases and sent the specimens to the Department of Health for testing.
 
     "The patients concerned are in stable condition. A preliminary investigation shows that both patients had not been to a wet market in Wuhan before the onset of symptoms. The HA will keep monitoring the patients' conditions and provide appropriate treatment," the HA Chief Infection Control Officer, Dr Raymond Lai, said.
 
     Including the abovementioned cases, public hospitals have reported five patient cases to the Department of Health since December 31, 2019. Two of them have been discharged.
 

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (January 3) reported two suspected cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), and again urged the public to pay special attention to safety during travel, taking due consideration of the health risks in the places they visit. The cases are detailed below:
 

     "Travellers to the Middle East should avoid going to farms, barns or markets with camels; avoid contact with sick persons and animals, especially camels, birds or poultry; and avoid unnecessary visits to healthcare facilities. We strongly advise travel agents organising tours to the Middle East to abstain from arranging camel rides and activities involving direct contact with camels, which are known risk factors for acquiring MERS Coronavirus (MERS-CoV)," a spokesman for the CHP said.

     Locally, the CHP's surveillance with public and private hospitals, with practising doctors and at boundary control points is firmly in place. Inbound travellers and members of the public who recently visited the Middle East and developed relevant symptoms within 14 days will be classified as suspected MERS cases. They will be taken to public hospitals for isolation and management until their specimens test negative for MERS-CoV.

     Travellers to affected areas should maintain vigilance, adopt appropriate health precautions and take heed of personal, food and environmental hygiene. The public may visit the MERS pages of the CHP and its Travel Health Service, MERS statistics in affected areas, the CHP's Facebook Page and YouTube Channel, and the World Health Organization's latest news for more information and health advice. Tour leaders and tour guides operating overseas tours are advised to refer to the CHP's health advice on MERS. 

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     Details of the meetings of the Legislative Council (LegCo) and its Committees to be held in the LegCo Complex during the week from January 6 to ‍10 are available in the meeting schedule attached.
 
     The information in the meeting schedule is subject to change. Please refer to the "LegCo Calendar" on the LegCo Website (www.legco.gov.hk) for the latest details of meetings.
 
     Members of the public are welcome to observe open meetings of LegCo and its Committees. Interested individuals and groups are advised to make advance booking of seats by calling the LegCo Secretariat at 3919 3399 during office hours. Members of the public can also listen to or watch all open meetings via the "Webcast" system on the LegCo Website.
 

     The Transport Department (TD) today (January 3) reminded the public that special traffic and transport arrangements will be implemented in Causeway Bay, Jardine's Lookout and Southern District this Sunday (January 5) to facilitate the holding of the 2019/2020 Hong Kong and Kowloon Walk for Millions.
 
     The special traffic and transport arrangements mainly include:
 
* From about 7am, Stadium Path, Caroline Hill Road, Link Road southbound (uphill), Broadwood Road (downhill), parts of Tai Hang Road and Mount Butler Road will be closed in phases;
 
* During the road closure period, Citybus routes 5B, 11 and 41A, New World First Bus route 8H, cross-harbour route 936 and green minibus routes 5, 14M, 24M and 30 will be temporarily diverted; and
 
* From 6am, all on-street parking spaces at Stadium Path, Caroline Hill Road, Hoi Ping Road and Coombe Road will be suspended.
 
     The TD anticipates that the traffic in the vicinity of the affected areas will be congested. Motorists are advised to avoid driving to the affected areas. In case of traffic congestion, motorists should exercise tolerance and patience, and follow the instructions of the Police. Members of the public who plan to go to the affected areas are advised to use public transport services as far as possible.
 
     The TD and the Police will closely monitor the traffic situation and implement appropriate measures whenever necessary. Members of the public are advised to be alert to the latest traffic news on radio and television.
 
     For details on the special traffic and transport arrangements, members of the public can call 1823 or browse the TD's mobile application "HKeMobility" or website (www.td.gov.hk).

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     Regarding an earlier announcement on a cluster of patients infected with Coronavirus OC43 in a male ward for severe intellectual disability, the spokesperson for Siu Lam Hospital gave the following update today (January 3):
 
     One more 73-year-old patient and a staff member in the ward presented with respiratory symptoms. Appropriate viral tests were arranged for the patient and the test results were positive for Coronavirus OC43. The patient concerned is being treated under isolation with stable condition. The staff member is currently on leave. Coronavirus OC43 is a known human coronavirus that usually causes mild respiratory infection such as common cold.
 
     Admission to the ward has been suspended and restricted visiting has been imposed. Infection control measures have already been stepped up according to established guidelines. All other patients in the ward are under close surveillance.
 
     The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.