The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     Regarding an earlier announcement on a patient care assistant (PCA) in the out-patient clinic of the Occupational Therapy Department who tested preliminarily positive for COVID-19 (case number: 9113), the spokesperson for Princess Margaret Hospital made the following update today (January 11):
 
     Upon knowing the preliminary positive results of the PCA, as a precautionary measure, the hospital has arranged COVID-19 tests for staff members working in the out-patient clinic concerned on January 6 and all the test results were negative.
 
     One of the PCAs working in the out-patient clinic of the Occupational Therapy Department underwent the COVID-19 test again at a Community Testing Centre on January 10 due to throat discomfort since January 8. Her test result was positive on the same day (case number: 9265).
 
     The hospital's infection control team conducted contact tracing immediately. It was found that one more PCA of the Occupational Therapy Department had meal at the same workplace but separately with the PCA tested preliminarily positive for COVID-19 on January 10. She has also presented with runny nose since January 10. The PCA was tested negative for COVID-19 in the test arranged by the hospital on January 6. She was arranged again to undergo COVID-19 test today and the result was positive. The two PCAs are currently treated under isolation with stable condition.
 
     Both of the PCAs do not perform any high-risk clinical procedures and are equipped with appropriate personal protective equipment at work. No patient was hence identified as close contacts.
 
     In addition, three more staff members had meals at the same workplace but separately are classified as close contacts and are required to quarantine for 14 days. The hospital will arrange COVID-19 tests and medical surveillance for all staff members of the out-patient clinic of the Occupational Therapy Department. In view of the sequential occurrence of confirmed cases in the out-patient clinic of the Occupational Therapy Department, the hospital's infection control team would expand the scope of contact tracing. The investigation is still underway.
 
     The workplace concerned has been closed for thorough cleaning and disinfection. PMH will continue to closely monitor the health of our staff, as well as communicating with the Centre for Health Protection on the latest situation.

Ends/Monday, January 11, 2021
Issued at HKT 20:25

NNNN