A man who was later diagnosed with novel coronavirus pneumonia is alleged to have concealed his travel history causing 55 people in close contact to be quarantined for observation.

Shanghai police

Shanghai police

A patient who has recovered from novel coronavirus pneumonia could face a criminal charge of impeding prevention of infectious diseases, Shanghai police said on Friday.

The 60-year-old man surnamed Li, a resident of Zhujing Town in Jinshan District, is alleged to have concealed his travel history and caused 55 people he had been in close contact with to be quarantined for observation.

Li returned to his home from Hubei Province on January 25 and visited the Jinshan branch of Shanghai No. 6 People’s Hospital between January 26 and 31 because of a cough and other symptoms, without revealing his travel history.

Li had also visited other public places many times, police said.

He was diagnosed with the pneumonia on February 4 and released from hospital on Thursday.