The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (December 16) said as six confirmed cases of COVID-19 recently occurred at Ming Lai House, Choi Wan (II) Estate in Wong Tai Sin, which involved units 33 at three different floors, and units 34 at two different floors; and as four confirmed cases recently occurred at Ming Yan Lau, Jat Min Chuen in Sha Tin involved three units on the 32nd Floor, the CHP is proactively following up to investigate whether the infections of the cases are related, so as to stop the potential risk of further spread of the virus.

       Regarding Ming Lai House, Choi Wan (II) Estate, the CHP has co-ordinated with related Government departments and organisations and conducted a site inspection tonight to the concerned floors and units of the building to investigate and examine if environmental factors were involved in the infection of the cases.

      The CHP took into account the opinions from experts and decided to carry out prudent measures on infection control before the relevant departments completed their inspection of the vent pipes of the building. The DH will issue quarantine orders to asymptomatic residents of units 33 and 34 on all floors of Ming Lai House (2nd Floor to 21st Floor) and transfer them to quarantine centres; symptomatic residents will be sent to the hospital for treatment.

      Separately, given confirmed cases involving three units on the 32nd Floor have already been reported at Ming Yan Lau, Jat Min Chuen, the CHP has conducted a site inspection today. For prudence sake, the DH will issue quarantine orders to asymptomatic residents living nearby the confirmed cases on the 32nd Floor and transfer them to quarantine centres. They are residents of the units 1 to 12, 14 and 16 on the 32nd Floor. Symptomatic residents will be sent to the hospital for treatment.

      The CHP's epidemiological investigations of the two buildings are ongoing.

     The Government yesterday (December 15) exercised power under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Compulsory Testing for Certain Persons) Regulation (Cap. 599J) to require any person who had been present at Ming Lai House of Choi Wan (II) Estate for more than two hours at any time during the period from November 20 to December 15 (including but not limited to residents, visitors and workers) to undergo a COVID-19 nucleic acid test by December 20. The Government has arranged the testing agency (Hong Kong Molecular Pathology Diagnostic Centre Limited) to set up a mobile specimen collection station at the basketball court next to Ming Lai House today to provide testing service for residents and workers. It will operate from 10am to 8pm daily until December 20 (Sunday) tentatively.

     Meanwhile, the Government has exercised power today under Cap. 599J to require any person who had been present at Ming Yan Lau of Jat Min Chuen for more than two hours at any time during the period from December 1 to 16 (including but not limited to residents, visitors and workers) to undergo a COVID-19 nucleic acid test by December 21. The Government will arrange the testing agency, ONCO Medical Laboratory Limited, to set up a mobile specimen collection station at the basketball court of Jat Min Chuen. It will operate from 2pm to 8pm on December 17 (Thursday) and from 10am to 8pm daily afterwards until December 21 (Monday) tentatively.

     The Government will decide whether it is necessary to extend the operation period of the mobile specimen collection station after reviewing the usage of the station and the public's demand for the testing service. The testing agency will provide specimen collection services by combined nasal and throat swabs at the mobile specimen collection station for testing free of charge.

     The CHP spokesman urged all individuals who are in doubt about their own health condition, or individuals with exposure to infection risk, to undergo testing promptly for early identification of infected persons.

     For the well being of the residents and public health safety, the Government appeals to the co-operation of all related residents to participate in the testing and stay home until the results of the tests are available, so as to prevent the risk of spreading the virus in the community.

Ends/Wednesday, December 16, 2020
Issued at HKT 23:10

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