(Yicai Global) Feb. 3 -- Aier Eye Hospital Group, China's leading network of eye care clinics, is maintaining its 30 percent growth forecast for this year despite having to shut down its clinics as the Chinese government sought to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus that originated in Wuhan, according to its president.

The first quarter may be sub-par, about 10 percent below expectations, but the hospital business should see explosive growth after the epidemic subsides, Chen Bang said in an earnings call yesterday, adding that the first quarter only contributed 20 percent to 23 percent of earnings last year. He expects profit to keep rising at 30 percent for the next three to five years.

Shares in the Hunan province-based firm were down 5.4 percent at CNY37.83 (USD5.39) as of 1.40 p.m., while the benchmark Shenzhen Component Index was down 7.7 percent as concerns over the coronavirus wipe out Chinese stocks. Aier opened at CNY36.50.

The company has been hit hard by the spread of the disease, in Hubei province where the disease originated and in other regions around China, Chen said. The company has had to shut down all of its eye clinics during the Chinese New Year holiday, which has been extended by 10 days from its usual one week due to the outbreak of the virus. The firm hopes to re-open all clinics other than those in Hubei, where the disease originated, from Feb. 10.

Its Hubei hospitals generated CNY1.1 billion (USD162 million) in income last year, making up 11.4 percent of total revenue. More than 40 doctors, nurses and administrative staff from its Hubei clinics are currently working in hospitals designated as treatment facilities for the coronavirus as the country looks to treat the rising number of patients.

The firm has also donated CNY15 million (USD2.1 million) to support medical research and primary care for those suffering the disease.

Editor: James Boynton