[Anchor]
South Korea has confirmed another novel coronavirus case, raising the total number of infections in the country to 28.
Although the patient is in relatively stable condition, the latest case has sparked the possibility that the virus could have an incubation period longer than previously thought.
Sehhyeong Kim reports.
[Reporter]
According to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a Chinese woman in her 30s who came into contact with South Korea's third confirmed patient tested positive for the novel coronavirus today.
The third patient, a resident of the Chinese city of Wuhan, returned home on January 20 and tested positive six days later.
This has prompted concerns that the latest case might be evidence that the incubation period for the virus might be longer than the previously believed 14 days as the last time she and the third patient met in person was 19 days ago.
A recent study by medical researchers in China found that the incubation period for the virus could be up to 24 days.
However, KCDC Director Jung Eun-kyeong said it was too early to determine the exact incubation period.
[Clip: Jung: 00:12]
"It is my understanding that experts view one single study does not give enough basis to change the longest known incubation period of 14 days for the virus."
She said health officials need far more data to change related information on the novel coronavirus.
Sehhyeong Kim, eFM News.■
<Photo: Yonhap News>
