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CHP investigates six cases tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 virus involving Silka Seaview Hotel Hong Kong
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     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (January 16) said that it is investigating six cases tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 virus (cases 12891, 12893, 12895, 12981, 12994 and 13045) involving Silka Seaview Hotel Hong Kong in Yau Ma Tei.

     All of the above-mentioned six cases stayed at Silka Seaview Hotel Hong Kong for compulsory quarantine after arrival in Hong Kong from abroad. Cases 12893 and 12895 (arrived in Hong Kong on January 2) stayed in room 413 and both tested positive on January 6; while case 12994 (arrived in Hong Kong on December 25, 2021) stayed in the adjacent room on the same floor (room 414) and tested positive on January 10.

     Also, case 12891 (arrived in Hong Kong on January 4) stayed in room 1205 and tested positive on January 6; the person who lived together with him who was sent to quarantine centre on January 8 tested positive on January 9 (case 12981); whereas case 13045 (arrived in Hong Kong on December 20, 2021) stayed in the adjacent room on the same floor (room 1206). Her several tests conducted during quarantine all tested negative and upon completion of the compulsory quarantine, she returned to Tung Moon House, Tai Hang Tung Estate, 83 Tai Hang Tung Road, Sham Shui Po on January 10. She later tested positive at a community testing centre on January 14.

     According to the whole genome sequencing conducted by the DH's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch, the genetic sequences of cases 12893, 12895 and 12994 are highly similar, suggesting that the three cases are very likely to be epidemiologically linked. Separately, the genome sequencing for cases 12891, 12981 and 13045 is ongoing.

     In view of the whole genome sequencing results and investigations on the epidemiological linkage of the cases, the CHP conducted site inspection at the hotel with the relevant government departments and experts today to further investigate and examine if environmental factors were involved in the infection of the cases. Opinions from experts suggested that the air flows in the rooms and corridors may have led to the spread of virus to another room.

     The CHP took into account the opinions from experts and decided to carry out prudent measures on infectious disease control. The CHP will arrange for persons who had stayed in the rooms adjacent to and opposite to room 413 from January 2 to 7 and persons who had stayed in the rooms adjacent to and opposite to room 1205 from January 4 to 8 to undergo 14 days of compulsory quarantine at quarantine centre.

     The Government announced earlier that starting from January 17, Silka Seaview Hotel Hong Kong will be used as a quarantine hotel for close contacts of cases tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 virus. The hotel has temporarily ceased to be a designated quarantine hotel under the Designated Quarantine Hotel Scheme and ceased taking reservations for inbound travellers since January 12. All persons originally undergoing quarantine at Silka Seaview Hotel Hong Kong were arranged to transfer to other designated quarantine hotels to continue their quarantine in accordance with infection control guidelines.

     The CHP's epidemiological investigation is ongoing.
 
Ends/Sunday, January 16, 2022
Issued at HKT 21:35
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