The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (July 7) said that it is investigating an overseas positive case of COVID-19 involving the L452R (Delta) mutant strain. 

     The CHP was notified by the Australian health authority today of a confirmed case in Australia involving the Delta mutant strain. The case involves a 52-year-old male patient who departed Hong Kong by flight TR981 in the evening on June 26 for transit in Singapore, where he stayed for several hours. He then took flight TR18 the next day (June 27) to Melbourne. While his pre-departure test result on June 24 was negative, he subsequently tested positive for COVID-19 on June 29 and remains asymptomatic. He had resided at Chung Mei Building, 149-157 Tai Kok Tsui Road in Tai Kok Tsui before his departure. He worked at 21/F, Tower 1, Kowloon Commerce Centre, Kwai Chung. His last working date was June 8.

     As a prudent measure, the Government will tonight make a restriction-testing declaration towards the building where the patient resided in Hong Kong. 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's workplace and the places he had visited during the incubation and infectious period will be included in a compulsory testing notice. People who had been present at the relevant venues at specified periods need to undergo compulsory testing on or before the specified date.

     The CHP is following up the case with the Australian health authority, and the epidemiological investigations on the above case are ongoing.

     ​The CHP urges 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. Moreover, the Government has launched the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme. Members of the public are encouraged to get vaccinated as soon as possible. Details of the programme can be found at the designated website (www.covidvaccine.gov.hk).

Ends/Wednesday, July 7, 2021
Issued at HKT 18:59

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