The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (September 6) said that it is investigating a preliminary positive imported case of COVID-19 involving the L452R mutant strain. 

     The case involves a 42-year-old female patient who lives at Tower 2, Phase 2A - Le Prestige, LOHAS Park, Tseung Kwan O. She travelled to the United States on August 24 and returned to Hong Kong on September 5 by flight CX883. Her pre-departure tests conducted on August 22 in Hong Kong tested negative. Her specimen collected upon arrival in the Temporary Specimen Collection Centre at Hong Kong International Airport tested preliminary positive for COVID-19. The test result from the DH's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch revealed that the patient carries the L452R mutant strain but does not carry the N501Y or E484K mutant genes. The patient has been asymptomatic. The CHP has classified the case as an imported case.

     During the past 21 days, the patient had stayed in Hong Kong from August 15 to 24. As a prudent measure, the Government will make a restriction-testing declaration tonight for the building where the patient resided in Hong Kong (Tower 2, Phase 2A - Le Prestige, LOHAS Park, Tseung Kwan O). 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 works at Unit 807, 8/F, Block A, Focal Industrial Centre, 21 Man Lok Street, Hung Hom, and last went to work on August 20. Her workplace and the places she 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 on May 2 and May 23 in Hong Kong (Comirnaty vaccine). 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, a spokesman for 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 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/Monday, September 6, 2021
Issued at HKT 18:55

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