POLICE have launched criminal investigations into two coronavirus patients who allegedly hid their recent travel history or disobeyed quarantine rules.

A woman surnamed Fan, 64, a native of Xiaogan, Hubei Province, was investigated by Futian police for allegedly jeopardizing public safety by reckless means.

Fan and her husband Zou, 67, also a native of Xiaogan, came to Shenzhen to visit their daughter from Wuhan by train Jan. 21. Fan sought medical treatment at the Mingyue community clinic and Futian People’s Hospital on Jan. 22 and 23 after developing symptoms Jan. 20 but concealed the fact that she had arrived in Shenzhen from Wuhan, telling medical workers she had not traveled in the past 14 days. On Jan. 26, Fan was confirmed infected with the novel coronavirus and was transferred to Shenzhen No. 3 People’s Hospital for treatment but still refused to admit that she had recently traveled from Wuhan. She didn’t take any health precautions when taking public transport and attending gatherings in Shenzhen before being admitted to the hospital.

In the other case, a man surnamed Ruan, 38, a native of Qianjiang, Hubei, was probed by Longgang District police on the same charge as Fan. Ruan signed an oath to comply with quarantine measures Jan. 27 after he returned to Longgang from Hubei. Yet he disobeyed the quarantine conditions, venturing outdoors several times and refusing to tell quarantine officers his whereabouts and activities.

Ruan also lied to inspectors about his symptoms such as fever and coughing. On Feb. 3, Ruan was confirmed to have the virus and was taken to Shenzhen No. 3 People’s Hospital for treatment. His family members were also quarantined at designated places.

Shenzhen police have also taken measures against violators who refuse to wear masks in public areas and when taking public transport, according to a release by the Shenzhen police Tuesday.

Two people were punished for refusing temperature checks and neglecting to wear masks while taking a Metro train Jan. 27 and Feb. 1 respectively. On Feb. 2, a man in Buji was punished after a scuffle with employees of a fast-food restaurant who had asked him to wear a mask. On Feb. 3, a drunken passenger was taken into custody for attacking a bus driver who required him to wear a mask.   

(Han Ximin)

Local Daily Report

Total: 291

New: 2

Recovered: 16

Death toll: 0