The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) announced that as of 0.00am, August 4, the CHP was investigating two additional confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), taking the number of cases to 11 997 in Hong Kong so far (comprising 11 996 confirmed cases and one probable case).

     A total of 29 cases have been reported in the past 14 days (July 21 to August 3) and all of them are imported cases.

     The CHP has received notification from the Macao Health Bureau that a close contact of a COVID-19 confirmed case in Macao is currently in Hong Kong, involving a 13-year-old girl. Preliminary information revealed that the girl arrived in Hong Kong with two family members on August 2 under the Return2hk Scheme. They stayed in The Luxe Manor, 39-43A Kimberley Road, after arrival. The CHP's epidemiological investigation commenced and the three persons were quarantined immediately. Their test results in Macao on August 1 before arriving Hong Kong were negative. Given that the confirmed case in Macao carries the Delta mutant strain, as a prudent measure, the premises where the three persons had resided or visited in Hong Kong will be put under a compulsory testing notice (CTN) today.

     Separately, the CHP is investigating a preliminary positive local case of COVID-19 involving a 43-year-old male patient who lives at Block A, Tung Lo Court in Sham Shui Po. He has been asymptomatic and his deep throat saliva sample submitted via regular testing on August 2 tested preliminarily positive with a Ct value of 36-38. The patient has tested negative under the regular testing requirement since May this year. After admission to hospital on August 3, the patient tested positive for the antibody against SARS-CoV-2. He was working at construction sites at 248 Queen's Road East and Shiu Kin Lane, Wan Chai, and his last working date was August 3. The Government will arrange for the building where the patient resides, his workplaces and the places he had visited during the incubation period to be included in a CTN. People who had been present at the relevant venues at specified periods need to undergo compulsory testing on or before the specified date. Epidemiological investigations are ongoing.

     In view of the fact that many recent imported cases have joined non-essential travel after vaccination, the spokesman of the CHP stressed, "The global situation of COVID-19 infection remains severe and there is a continuous increase in the number of cases involving mutant strains that carry higher transmissibility, and there are also reports of breakthrough infections in some vaccinated individuals. The CHP strongly urged members of the public to avoid all non-essential travel outside Hong Kong, in particular to specified places with extremely high risk and very high risk under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Regulation of Cross-boundary Conveyances and Travellers) Regulation (Cap. 599H).

     The spokesman reminded, "If travel is unavoidable, the CHP highly recommended the public to be fully vaccinated with COVID-19 vaccines before their departure. They should continue to wear a surgical mask and maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene at all times. Parents are also urged to avoid taking unvaccinated children travelling."

     The CHP's epidemiological investigations and relevant contact tracing on the confirmed cases are ongoing. For case details and contact tracing information, please see the Annex or the list of buildings with confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the past 14 days and the latest local situation of COVID-19 available on the website "COVID-19 Thematic Website" (www.coronavirus.gov.hk).

     The Government has launched the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme. Members of the public are encouraged to get vaccinated. Details of the programme can be found at the designated website (www.covidvaccine.gov.hk). Generally speaking, vaccines can reduce the chance of transmission by those who have been vaccinated. People vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine can also generate herd immunity. Moreover, vaccination may help keep people from getting seriously ill even if they do get COVID-19.

     The CHP called on members of the public to pay attention to their health condition, seek medical advice early and undergo COVID-19 nucleic acid testing as soon as possible if respiratory symptoms develop. They should also maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene at all times, to protect themselves against infection and prevent the spread of the disease in the community.

     On a personal level, members of the public should put on a surgical mask when they need to go out. It is important to wear a mask properly, including performing hand hygiene before wearing and after removing a mask. Hand hygiene should be performed frequently, especially before touching the mouth, nose or eyes, after touching public installations such as handrails or doorknobs, or when hands are contaminated by respiratory secretions after coughing or sneezing. 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 the mouth and nose with tissue paper when sneezing or coughing. Dispose of soiled tissues into a lidded rubbish bin, then wash hands thoroughly.

     ​​To ensure household environmental hygiene, members of the public are advised to maintain drainage pipes properly and regularly (about once a week) by pouring about half a litre of water into each drain outlet (U-trap). They should also pay attention to hygiene when using the toilet by putting the toilet lid down before flushing to avoid spreading germs.

Ends/Wednesday, August 4, 2021
Issued at HKT 19:25

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