(To watch the full press briefing with sign language interpretation, click here.)

People with coronavirus symptoms, even mild ones, should seek medical advice as soon as possible and must not wait until the Lunar New Year holiday is over.

Director of Health Dr Constance Chan made the appeal today at a press briefing, despite the fact that only 12 COVID-19 cases were registered today.

“The relatively low number (of confirmed COVID-19 cases) may be attributed to the fact that most Chinese (people) avoid going to see a doctor for consultation on Chinese New Year’s Day and some of the clinics are closed during the holiday.

“It is important that if they have any mild symptoms - however mild - that is if they suffer from fever, fatigue, dry cough, breathing difficulty, stuffy nose, headache, red eyes, sore throat, diarrhoea, loss of taste or smell or skin rashes, they must see a doctor as soon as possible for consultation to exclude COVID-19, and they must not wait until the Chinese New Year holiday is over.”

Dr Chan also noted that community testing centres remain open during the Lunar New Year holiday to help the public undergo testing.

“As for people who are asymptomatic but have some concerns, many of the community testing centers are open during this Chinese New Year holiday.”