CHP investigates seven additional cases of COVID-19
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The first case involves a 35-year-old man (the 143rd case) who has good past health and lives in Lai Ming House, Wah Ming Estate, Fanling. He developed cough since March 11 and fever since yesterday (March 14). He attended North District Hospital on the same day and was admitted for treatment. His respiratory sample was tested positive for COVID-19 virus today and he is now in a stable condition. The patient travelled to Hokkaido, Japan between February 26 and March 11. He accompanied a friend to visit a clinic in Niseko, Hokkaido on March 7. He took the flight JL2504 (economy class cabin) by The Japan Airlines from Hokkaido to Osaka on March 11 and then departed Osaka on flight CX561 (economy class cabin) by Cathay Pacific arriving Hong Kong on the same night. Passengers who travelled in the same cabin on board the two flights are urged to call the CHP hotline. His travel collateral including his girlfriend and two friends, as well as his parents, younger sister and niece who live with him are asymptomatic and will be arranged for quarantine.
The second case involves a 29-year-old man (the 144th case) who has good past health. He developed cough since March 11 and attended Ruttonjee Hospital yesterday where he was admitted for treatment. His respiratory sample was tested positive for COVID-19 virus today and he is now in stable condition. The patient departed Hong Kong on March 5 for Germany and then visited Austria on March 7 and returned to Germany on March 11. He took the flight LH119 (economy class cabin) by Lufthansa from Munich to Frankfurt on March 12, and then from Frankfurt by flight LH796 (business class cabin) arriving Hong Kong on March 13, and had been staying alone in The Harbourview in Wanchai upon arrival. Passengers who travelled in the same cabin on board the two flights are urged to call the CHP hotline.
The third case and the fourth case involve a 37-year-old man (the 145th case) and a 39-year-old man (the 146th case) respectively. The CHP's epidemiological investigations revealed that the patients have travelled to France during the incubation period. They arrived Hong Kong from Paris by the flight CX260 (economy class cabin) by Cathay Pacific on March 13. Passengers who travelled in the same cabin on board the flight are urged to call the CHP hotline.
The 37-year-old man (the 145th case) has good past health and lives in Pak Sha Wan, Sai Kung. He developed cough since March 10 and subsequently diarrhoea and fever. He attended the Tseung Kwan O Hospital (TKOH) yesterday and was admitted for treatment. His respiratory sample was tested positive for COVID-19 virus today. He is now in a stable condition. His wife, two daughters and domestic helper who live with him are asymptomatic and have been admitted to TKOH for examination.
The 39-year-old man (the 146th case) has good past health and lives in Fort Mansion, 25-27 Fort Street, North Point. He developed cough since March 13 and attended Queen Mary Hospital (QMH) yesterday and was admitted for treatment. His respiratory sample was tested positive for COVID-19 virus today. He is now in a stable condition. His another travel collateral is asymptomatic and was admitted to QMH for examination. His girlfriend who lives with him is asymptomatic and will be arranged for quarantine. The taxi driver who drove the patient from Hong Kong Station to his home at around 7.30 – 7.45am on March 13 is urged to call the CHP hotline.
The fifth and sixth cases involve a couple, a 61-year-old woman (the 147th case) and a 58-year-old man (the 148th case) who both have underlying illnesses. They live in Kellett View Town Houses, 65 Mount Kellett Road. The female patient developed sore throat since March 10 and then fever and cough since March 11. The male patient developed fever and cough with sputum since March 10, mild abdominal discomfort since March 13 and then diarrhoea today. They attended Hong Kong Adventist Hospital –Stubbs Road on March 11, and Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital on March 13 and Ruttonjee Hospital yesterday where they were admitted for treatment. Their respiratory samples were tested positive for COVID-19 virus today and are now in stable condition. They visited Toronto between February 15 and March 2, New York between March 2 and 5, then Boston between March 5 and 9. They took the flight CX811 by Cathay Pacific (business class cabin) from Boston arriving Hong Kong on March 10. Passengers who travelled in the same cabin on board the flight are urged to call the CHP hotline. Their son, driver and two domestic helpers who live with them are asymptomatic and will be arranged for quarantine.
The seventh case involves a 32-year-old man (the 149th case) who has good past health and lives in Wah Cheong House in Wah Fu (II) Estate, Pok Fu Lam. He developed fever since March 14 and consulted a private doctor. He attended the Accident and Emergency Department at QMH today. His deep throat saliva sample was tested positive for COVID-19 virus today. He is admitted to QMH for treatment and is now in a stable condition.
The patient joined a group tour to visit Tunisia from Hong Kong from February 24 to March 2, and then visited England and Spain with his friends from March 3 to 9, returning to Hong Kong on March 10. His mother and elder sister who live with him are asymptomatic and will be arranged for quarantine.
The CHP's epidemiological investigations and relevant contact tracing on the confirmed cases are ongoing. Quarantine will be arranged for close contacts while medical surveillance will be arranged for other contacts. For the progress on the contact tracing of the cases, please see the annex.
Separately, the CHP continues to follow up on the cases of COVID-19 in Heng Tai House, Fu Heng Estate, and is locating one remaining affected household (i.e. a household among the "13" and "14" units of the 29th to 34th floor) who is required to undergo quarantine. The CHP urged the household to contact the centre as soon as possible.
A spokesman for the CHP said, "In view of proliferation of the disease and continuous increase in the number of cases reported around the world, members of the public are strongly urged to avoid all non-essential travel outside Hong Kong."
"Meanwhile, according to our epidemiological investigations, clusters are observed in the local community involving large meal gatherings and other gatherings. Members of the public are urged to go out less and reduce social activities such as meal gatherings or other gatherings, and maintain an appropriate social distance with other people as far as possible."
The spokesman said, "The CHP strongly urges the public to maintain at all times strict personal and environmental hygiene, which is key to personal protection against infection and prevention of the spread of the disease in the community. On a personal level, members of the public should wear a surgical mask when having respiratory symptoms, taking public transport or staying in crowded places. They should also perform hand hygiene frequently, especially before touching the mouth, nose or eyes.
"As for household environmental hygiene, members of the public are advised to maintain drainage pipes properly, and regularly pour water into drain outlets (U-traps); cover all floor drain outlets when they are not in use; after using the toilet, they should put the toilet lid down before flushing to avoid spreading germs."
The CHP will report the cases to the World Health Organization, National Health Commission, Health Commission of Guangdong Province, relevant health authorities and the Hospital Authority.
The CHP has set up a hotline (2125 1122) for public enquiries. The hotline operates from 8am to midnight daily. As at 4pm today, a total of 34 922 calls were received.
Moreover, the Government has launched the website "COVID-19 Thematic Website" (www.coronavirus.gov.hk) for announcing the latest updates on various news on the COVID-19 infection and health advice to help the public understand the latest updates.
To prevent pneumonia and respiratory tract infection, members of the public should always maintain good personal and environmental hygiene. They are advised to:
• Wear a surgical mask when taking public transport or staying in crowded places. It is important to wear a mask properly, including hand hygiene before wearing and after removing a mask;
• Perform hand hygiene frequently, especially before touching the mouth, nose or eyes, after touching public installations such as handrails or door knobs, or when hands are contaminated by respiratory secretions after coughing or sneezing;
• Maintain drainage pipes properly and regularly (about once a week) pour about half a liter of water into each drain outlet (U-traps) to ensure environmental hygiene;
• Cover all floor drain outlets when they are not in use;
• After using the toilet, put the toilet lid down before flushing to avoid spreading germs;
• 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 your mouth and nose with tissue paper when sneezing or coughing. Dispose of soiled tissues into a lidded rubbish bin, then wash hands thoroughly; and
• When having respiratory symptoms, wear a surgical mask, refrain from work or attending class at school, avoid going to crowded places and seek medical advice promptly.
Ends/Sunday, March 15, 2020
Issued at HKT 23:38
Issued at HKT 23:38
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