The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (August 6) said that it is investigating a preliminary positive imported case of COVID-19 involving the L452R mutant strain. 

     The case involves a 32-year-old male patient who lives at Sea View Mansion, 82-87 Connaught Road West, Sheung Wan. He travelled to the United States on July 25 and returned to Hong Kong on August 5 via Doha by flight QR818. His pre-departure tests conducted on July 24 in Hong Kong and August 2 in the US both tested negative. His specimen collected upon arrival in the Temporary Specimen Collection Centre at Hong Kong International Airport tested preliminary positive for COVID-19. The test result from the DH's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch revealed that the patient carries the L452R mutant strain but does not carry N501Y or E484K mutant genes. The patient has been asymptomatic. The CHP has classified the case as an imported case.

     During the past 21 days, the patient had stayed in Hong Kong from July 15 to 25. As a prudent measure, the Government will make a restriction-testing declaration tonight for the building where the patient resided in Hong Kong (Sea View Mansion, 82-87 Connaught Road West, Sheung Wan). Residents of the building will also be subject to compulsory testing on days 3, 7, 12 and 19 counting from the day on which the case is announced.

     Moreover, the patient works in 40-44 Bonham Strand, Sheung Wan, and went to work in the period from July 15 to 25 during the past 21 days. His workplace and the places he had visited during the incubation period will be included in a compulsory testing notice. Specified persons who had been present at the relevant venues at specified periods need to undergo compulsory testing on or before the specified date.

     The CHP's investigation reveals that the patient received two doses of COVID-19 vaccination on April 7 and April 28 in Hong Kong (Comirnaty vaccine). His blood specimen tested positive for anti-spike protein antibody on July 19. An epidemiological investigation and contact tracing of the case will continue.

     In view of the fact that many recent imported cases have joined non-essential travel after vaccination, the spokesman of 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 extremely high risk and very 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."

     ýÿýÿThe 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).

Ends/Friday, August 6, 2021
Issued at HKT 18:55

NNNN