CHP investigates 17 additional confirmed cases of COVID-19
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The newly reported cases are imported cases. Among them, 15 cases involve a cargo vessel (Thor Monadic) that arrived in Hong Kong waters on August 24 from Indonesia. Among the 23 sea crew members on board, 15 of them tested positive for COVID-19 by samples taken on August 25. The test results by the DH's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch revealed that all of the patients carry the L452R mutant strain but do not carry the N501Y or E484K mutant genes. One of the patients developed cough and other symptoms on August 20. All of the patients will be sent to hospital for isolation treatment. The sea crew members had not gone ashore after arriving in Hong Kong. As a prudent measure, all of the remaining sea crew members of the cargo vessel have to undergo quarantine on board the vessel and conduct tests in accordance with the current arrangement during the quarantine period. Epidemiological investigations of the cases are ongoing. The operator of the vessel was suspected of providing false information to the DH during the application for free pratique. The DH is carrying out investigation and will seek legal advice from the Department of Justice for the suspected contravention of the Prevention and Control of Disease Regulation (Cap. 599A) by the vessel's operator.
A total of 52 cases have been reported in the past 14 days (August 13 to 26) including a local case with unknown sources and an import-related case, while the rest are imported cases.
Meanwhile, the CHP was notified of a confirmed case in the UK, which involved a 59-year-old female patient. She departed Hong Kong on August 15 for the UK. Her pre-departure test conducted on August 13 in Hong Kong tested negative. Her specimen collected on August 20 in the UK tested positive for COVID-19 and she remains asymptomatic. According to the patient, she had received two doses of COVID-19 vaccination on April 12 and May 3 in Hong Kong (Comirnaty vaccine). The CHP is following up on the case with the UK health authority and the epidemiological investigations of the case are ongoing. As a prudent measure, the premises where she had resided (Block A, Sunlight Court, 30 Bisney Road, Pok Fu Lam) and worked (28/F, C-Bons International Center, 108 Wai Yip Street, Kwun Tong) in Hong Kong during the incubation period will be put under a compulsory testing notice. Any person who had been present at the specified premises for more than two hours during the specified period has to undergo compulsory testing on or before the specified dates.
In view of the fact that many recent imported cases have joined non-essential travel after vaccination, the spokesman for the CHP stressed, "The global situation of COVID-19 infection remains severe and there is a continuous increase in the number of cases involving mutant strains that carry higher transmissibility, and there are also reports of breakthrough infections in some vaccinated individuals. The CHP strongly urged members of the public to avoid all non-essential travel outside Hong Kong, in particular to specified places with high risk under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Regulation of Cross-boundary Conveyances and Travellers) Regulation (Cap. 599H)."
The spokesman reminded, "If travel is unavoidable, the CHP highly recommended the public to be fully vaccinated with COVID-19 vaccines before their departure. They should continue to wear a surgical mask and maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene at all times. Parents are also urged to avoid taking unvaccinated children travelling."
Separately, according to the testing and quarantine arrangements for local COVID-19 cases with mutant strains, the CHP reminded that persons who resided or worked within the same building as the residence of relevant cases will be subject to compulsory testing on days 3, 7, 12 and 19 following the announcement of the relevant confirmed cases by the DH. They will also be required to undergo self-monitoring until the 21st day. Relevant deadlines of compulsory testing for respective specified premises are listed on the Government's website at www.coronavirus.gov.hk/pdf/CTN_Specified_premises_and_Dates_of_Testing.pdf.
Specified persons in relation to the following specified premises are also reminded to undergo compulsory testing in accordance with the compulsory testing notice tomorrow (August 28):
- Mei Yat House, Yat Tung (II) Estate, 8 Yat Tung Road, Tung Chung.
The CHP's epidemiological investigations and relevant contact tracing on the confirmed cases are ongoing. For case details and contact tracing information, please see the Annex or the list of buildings with confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the past 14 days and the latest local situation of COVID-19 available on the website "COVID-19 Thematic Website" (www.coronavirus.gov.hk).
The Government has launched the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme. Members of the public are encouraged to get vaccinated. Details of the programme can be found at the designated website (www.covidvaccine.gov.hk). Generally speaking, vaccines can reduce the chance of transmission by those who have been vaccinated. People vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine can also generate herd immunity. Moreover, vaccination may help keep people from getting seriously ill even if they do get COVID-19.
The CHP called on members of the public to pay attention to their health condition, seek medical advice early and undergo COVID-19 nucleic acid testing as soon as possible if respiratory symptoms develop. They should also maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene at all times, to protect themselves against infection and prevent the spread of the disease in the community.
On a personal level, members of the public should put on a surgical mask when they need to go out. It is important to wear a mask properly, including performing hand hygiene before wearing and after removing a mask. Hand hygiene should be performed frequently, especially before touching the mouth, nose or eyes, after touching public installations such as handrails or doorknobs, or when hands are contaminated by respiratory secretions after coughing or sneezing. Wash hands with liquid soap and water, and rub for at least 20 seconds, then rinse with water and dry with a disposable paper towel. If hand washing facilities are not available, or when hands are not visibly soiled, performing hand hygiene with 70 to 80 per cent alcohol-based handrub is an effective alternative. Cover the mouth and nose with tissue paper when sneezing or coughing. Dispose of soiled tissues into a lidded rubbish bin, then wash hands thoroughly.
To ensure household environmental hygiene, members of the public are advised to maintain drainage pipes properly and regularly (about once a week) by pouring about half a litre of water into each drain outlet (U-trap). They should also pay attention to hygiene when using the toilet by putting the toilet lid down before flushing to avoid spreading germs.
Ends/Friday, August 27, 2021
Issued at HKT 18:05
Issued at HKT 18:05
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