CHP follows up on COVID-19 imported case at Block 1, Bo Shek Mansion in Tsuen Wan
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The imported case (case number: 12057) involves a 56-year-old male patient who lives at Block 1, Bo Shek Mansion, 328 Sha Tsui Road, Tsuen Wan. According to the latest information, he travelled to Dubai on August 15 and returned to Hong Kong on August 18 by flight EK384. The results of his pre-departure test conducted on August 14 in Hong Kong and specimen collected upon arrival in the Temporary Specimen Collection Centre at Hong Kong International Airport were both negative for COVID-19. His sample collected on August 20 at designated quarantine hotel tested positive for COVID-19. The test result by the DH's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch revealed that the patient carries the L452R mutant strain but does not carry N501Y or E484K mutant genes. The patient has been asymptomatic.
As the patient had stayed in Hong Kong during the past 21 days, the Government will adopt a prudent measure and will make a restriction-testing declaration tonight for the building where the patient resided in Hong Kong (Block 1, Bo Shek Mansion, 328 Sha Tsui Road, Tsuen Wan). 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 places he had visited during the incubation period will be included in a compulsory testing notice. Specified persons who had been present at the relevant venues at specified periods need to undergo compulsory testing on or before the specified date.
The CHP's investigation reveals that the patient received two doses of COVID-19 vaccination (Sinovac) on March 20 and May 1 in Hong Kong. His blood specimen tested positive for anti-spike protein antibody on July 12. An epidemiological investigation and contact tracing of the case will continue.
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 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 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).
Ends/Sunday, August 22, 2021
Issued at HKT 18:55
Issued at HKT 18:55
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