A 48-year-old police officer from Hong Kong Special Administrative Region tested positive for the novel coronavirus, said the Hong Kong Police Force.

The officer is reported to have dined with 59 other officers at a restaurant in the Sai Wan area of Hong Kong on February 18. All of those 59 officers are now deemed close contacts of a confirmed case and will be quarantined.

The policeman diagnosed with the coronavirus felt unwell on February 18 and visited a traditional Chinese medicine clinic. He went to a government clinic the next day and was tested positive for the virus on February 20.

Hong Kong Police Force has informed all of the 59 officers to stay at home and wait for quarantine arrangements.