A CHINESE national holidaying in Johor Baru has been confirmed as the 15th 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) case in the country, said Health Minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.

He said the patient is a 59-year-old woman from Wuhan, the epicentre of the outbreak, and tested positive for the virus yesterday. 

“She travelled from Singapore to Johor Baru with her family on January 21. She felt unwell on January 26.

“She had been in her hotel room most of the time. She had not gone to any health facilities for treatment, and had only took medicine brought from a pharmacy near their hotel,” said Dzulkefly.

He said the hotel had informed local health authorities about the woman’s condition on Wednesday, following which she was referred to Hospital Permai in Johor Baru for further treatment.

Dzulkefly said the woman’s 66-year-old husband has been isolated in the same hospital with the health authorities waiting for the rest results.

The woman had planned to return to China with her family on February 4, but cancelled her journey due to her condition.

“Her son and daughter-in-law had however returned home on that date.”  

Of the 15 coronavirus cases in the country, 11 involved Chinese citizens, while the rest are Malaysians. – February 7, 2020.

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