The theory emerged after two people people became ill with the deadly virus at the Hong Mei House on the Cheung Hong Estate in the New Territories area, according to the New York Times. The unnamed 62-year-old woman lives 10 floors below another resident who also contracted the virus. The spread of the virus around the 35-story building this week is being linked to an unsealed pipe.

Wong Ka-hing of the Centre for Health Protection said: “We are not sure what was the exact route of transmission.

“It could still be through the usual method of droplets or contact.”

A person who lives in the building, named only as Chan, admitted she was scared.

She said: “I live with my son, daughter-in-law, grandchildren and my husband.

“We seldom go out already because we don’t have enough masks.

“I don’t allow my grandchildren to play in the hallway.

“Now we can’t even stay at home.”

Hong Kong’s government has launched an investigation into the pipes in the building, according to The Guardian.

Coronavirus was discovered by authorities at the end of last year.

Workers at a wholesale seafood market in the central Chinese city of Wuhan, Hubei started becoming ill.

Since then, it has killed 1,018 people in 43,112 cases.

This includes 42 in Hong Kong. 

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The virus has also spread to more than 25 countries and territories.

It has not been reported in Africa or South America.

Meanwhile, businessman Steve Walsh, who was at the centre of the UK outbreak of coronavirus, has been discharged from hospital and is no longer contagious.

He was being treated at the specialist infectious diseases unit at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust in London but has now been given the all-clear to return home.

The 53-year-old scout leader, from Hove in East Sussex, contracted the virus on a business trip to Singapore and is linked to five other people diagnosed with the virus in the UK.

On his way back to the UK from Singapore, he stopped off at a ski region in France, where five other Britons were subsequently infected with the virus, now also known as Covid-19.

Professor Keith Willett, NHS strategic incident director, said in a statement: “I’m pleased to say that - following two negative tests for coronavirus, 24 hours apart - Mr Walsh has been discharged from Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, having made a full recovery following his treatment.

“Mr Walsh’s symptoms were mild and he is no longer contagious and poses no risk to the public.

“He is keen to return to his normal life and spend time with his family out of the media spotlight.

“I would like to thank the clinical team who treated Mr Walsh in hospital, as well as all the NHS staff who are working hard with other health organisations to limit the spread of coronavirus and treat the small numbers who have contracted the illness.