The police have offered to turn the Junior Police Call Permanent Activity Centre in Pat Heung into Hong Kong's fifth quarantine center for people who have been in close contact with confirmed carriers of the deadly novel coronavirus.

The Hong Kong Commissioner of Police Tang Ping-keung made the suggestion to the government which is having difficulties in finding more space to quarantine the growing number of suspected carriers of the virus which has infected 17 people so far.

The proposed shelter will provide 53-units, according to local media reports.

Officials from various government departments on Monday assessed the site and considered the conversion plan feasible.

The other four designated quarantine centers are Heritage Lodge in Lai Chi Kok, Lei Yue Mun Park and Holiday Village in Shau Kei Wan, Lady MacLehose Holiday Village in Sai Kung, as well as Po Leung Kuk Jockey Club Pak Tam Chung Holiday Camp in Sai Kung.