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The Department of Health (DH) today (March 30) called on all close contacts of patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome to come forward for medical checks at their nearest designated medical centres (DMCs) tomorrow.
"We have fully prepared four clinics for daily check of these people. The clinics will begin operation from tomorrow," said a DH spokesman.
Requiring close contacts of all patients infected with the disease to undergo daily checks at four designated clinics is one of the measures announced by the Chief Executive on March 27. These close contacts are also required to not to go to work/school during the 10-day period. They should stay at home as far as possible.
Close contact means any person having cared for, having lived with or having had direct contact with respiratory secretions and body fluid of a person with severe acute respiratory syndrome. Practically, this means household contacts and those who have cared for patients with the disease
"The four clinics are equipped with chest X-ray facilities. The medical and healthcare workers at the clinics are well-briefed on the procedures to follow in each case," added the spokesman.
"We have notified the close contacts of the measure and of the location of the clinic they should attend. Advice on how to keep their living environment hygienic and precautionary measures they should take including the wearing of masks are also given."
The spokesman said persons who have had contact with an individual with severe acute respiratory syndrome but do not fit the definition of close contact are deemed to be social contacts.
"Social contacts with symptoms are advised to contact DH," said the spokesman.
The Government hope that all close contacts of patients will co-operate. "This measure will help control the spread of the disease and ensure that any close contact of patients who have been infected will be diagnosed and treated early," explained the spokesman.
"We appeal to employers to be sympathetic with staff who cannot go to work because of this measure.
Meanwhile the spokesman appealed to people who have paid visits to Metropole Hotel on February 21 or 22, or the Prince of Wales Hospital on or after March 1 this year to call the special hotline 187 2222 for medical surveillance.
In response to enquiries on the possibility of the close contacts spreading the disease while making daily trips to the clinics, the spokesman said, "The close contacts have not had indications of being infected. Clinical experience to date shows it is unlikely for any person to spread it to others before the onset of symptoms such as high fever. For any close contact who develops symptoms while at home, he/she should contact the clinic he/she is attending. Arrangements will be made for him/her to be examined as soon as possible."
The four clinics designated for daily checks of patients' close contacts are -
* Pamela Youde Child Assessment Centre (Shatin)
2/F, 31-33 Chap Wai Kon Street, Sha Tin
* South Kwai Chung Jockey Club Polyclinic
310 Kwai Shing Circuit, Kwai Chung
* Shek Kip Mei Health Centre
2 Berwick Street, Shek Kip Mei
* Sai Ying Pun Jockey Club Polyclinic
6/F, 134 Queen's Road West, Western
They will be operated from 9 am to 5 pm daily.
Another major measure in the package announced by the Chief Executive is requiring all incoming passengers to complete a health declaration. This measure was launched yesterday (March 29) and is being implemented smoothly.
"We wish to thank the community, especially visitor and homebound residents for their co-operation and patience. Without their support, we would not have been able to proceed smoothly with this measure," the spokesman added.
The spokesman also wish to thank the Airport Authority, airlines, Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation, cross boundary bus and ferry operators, Auxiliary Medical Service and Civil Aid Service for their assistance in the fight against the disease.
End/Sunday, March 30, 2003
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