Hong Kong Airport checks the health of passengers from Wuhan. (Photo: Getty Images) |
The new corona virus strain has caused alarm because of its connection to the severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars), which killed nearly 650 people across mainland China and Hong Kong in 2002-03.
Of the 17 new cases in the central city of Wuhan – believed to be the epicentre of the outbreak – three were described as “severe”, with two patients were too critical to be moved.