CHP reminds relevant residents to comply with "restriction-testing declaration" operation on case tested preliminarily positive for SARS-CoV-2 virus

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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (January 11) reminded members of the public that a "restriction-testing declaration" (RTD) has been made for the residence of one of the cases tested preliminarily positive for SARS-CoV-2 virus the CHP is following. The CHP strongly reminds relevant residents that they must comply with the RTD operation. Any person who fails to present an SMS notification with a test result or wear a wristband as proof of having undergone testing breaches the compulsory testing notice and may be liable to a fine of $5,000. The person will also be issued with a compulsory testing order, requiring him/her to undergo testing within a specified time frame. Failure to comply with the compulsory testing order or the RTD is an offence and the offender may be liable to a fine of level 4 ($25,000) and imprisonment for six months.

     The case involves a 51-year-old female patient living in Block 3, Po Tin Estate, Tuen Mun. She works as a security guard at the Penny's Bay Quarantine Centre. According to her job nature, she has to undergo frequent regular COVID-19 testing and she last tested negative on January 8. She developed fever on January 10 and tested preliminarily positive on the same day with a Ct value of 25/26. She received two doses of COVID-19 vaccination (CoronVac) in Hong Kong on March 11 and April 8, 2021.

     The CHP is now investigating the places where the patient visited during incubation period and will carry out whole genome sequencing analysis in order to ascertain the infection source and to terminate the silent transmission chains in the community. The CHP also 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.

     The Government has made a "restriction-testing declaration" tonight for the building where the patient resided (Block 3, Po Tin Estate, 99 Ming Kum Road, Tuen Mun) and persons who resided or worked at the building will be subject to increased compulsory testing frequency. The places where she had visited during the incubation period will also be included in a compulsory testing notice. Specified persons who were present at the relevant venues at specified periods need to undergo compulsory testing on the specified date.

     The spokesman for the CHP said, "The Government has remained vigilant and has been closely monitoring the latest scientific data on mutant strains as well as the epidemic situation of various places. The most stringent anti-epidemic measures will be implemented to prevent the mutant strains from spreading in the local community."

     At the moment, the adverse impact on the epidemic situation caused by the newly emerged mutant strains is not fully known yet, but vaccination is still essential to prevent severe cases and deaths from COVID-19 infection. 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/Tuesday, January 11, 2022
Issued at HKT 20:08

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