A 45-year-old woman in Kolkata has been diagnosed with an infection caused by the human coronavirus HKU1, and she is currently receiving treatment at a private hospital in South Kolkata. The woman from Garia has been suffering from a persistent fever, cough, and cold for the past 15 days, but her condition is reported to be stable, according to hospital sources.

Betacoronavirus hongkonense, commonly known as human coronavirus HKU1 (HCoV-HKU1), is a species of coronavirus that affects humans and animals. It primarily causes upper respiratory diseases with symptoms similar to the common cold but can lead to more severe conditions such as pneumonia and bronchiolitis. It is less severe than the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes Covid-19.

However, hospital sources have advised caution to prevent its spread. They stated that the woman’s infection is an isolated case, and there is no need to panic.