HONG KONG - Macao confirmed on Sunday three new cases of the novel coronavirus, bringing the total number of patients in the city to five.

All three are women and residents of Wuhan in Central China's Hubei province. A 58-year-old woman took a ferry from Hong Kong Macao Ferry Terminal and arrived in Macao on Thursday morning.

Upon arrival, the woman felt unwell and visited Kia Wu Hospital, where she was found to be running a low fever. She was immediately sent to Centro Hospitalar Conde de Sao Januario. After two thorough medical checks, it was confirmed on Sunday that the woman had the infection.

Two other patients, a 39-year-old housewife and a 21-year-old teacher, have also been admitted to Centro Hospitalar Conde de Sao Januario for treatment and quarantine.

The first two confirmed patients in Macao are both in stable condition and are being treated in isolation at the same hospital, the Macao government said.