The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (April 7) received a report of a case of severe paediatric COVID-19 infection and reminded the public to observe personal, hand and environmental hygiene at all times. High-risk individuals should receive COVID-19 booster doses to minimise the risk of serious complications and death after infection.
      
     The case involves a 5-year-old boy with underlying illness, who developed a fever, runny nose, cough, shortness of breath and wheezing since April 4. He attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Tseung Kwan O Hospital on the following day and was hospitalised. The patient was transferred to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit of United Christian Hospital on the same day due to deterioration in his condition. His respiratory specimen tested positive for COVID-19 virus upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis was COVID-19 infection complicated with croup. He remains hospitalised in critical condition.
      
     Preliminary investigation revealed that the patient had not completed the initial doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. He had no travel history during the incubation period, and his school has not experienced any recent outbreak of COVID-19. One of his household contacts has recently developed cough and has sought medical attention.
      
     "There has been a recent increase in the activity of COVID-19 in the local community. In the past three weeks, the load of SARS-CoV-2 virus from sewage surveillance, the percentage of specimens testing positive and the average consultation rate of COVID-19 cases in general out-patient clinics have continued to rise. As of March 29, the viral load per capita of SARS-CoV-2 virus was around 330 000 copy/litre, which was significantly higher than the previous week ending March 15, when it was 85 000 copy/litre," said the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui.
      
     "High-risk persons should receive COVID-19 booster doses at appropriate times to lower the risks of serious illness and death. Genetic analysis has shown that the predominant circulating strains in Hong Kong are still JN.1 and its descendant lineages, and the vaccines currently used in Hong Kong can effectively prevent the related variant. Scientific data shows that timely booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine for high-risk persons help lower the risk of severe illness and death. Members of the public who have not received the initial dose of the COVID-19 vaccine (including infants and children) should get vaccinated as soon as possible. Those at high risk (particularly the elderly and persons with underlying comorbidities) should receive a booster dose as soon as possible for effective prevention against COVID-19," Dr Tsui added.
      
     Apart from vaccination, in order to prevent infection of COVID-19, influenza and other respiratory illnesses as well as transmission in the community, the public should maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene at all times and note the following:
      

• Patients can wear surgical masks to prevent transmission of respiratory viruses. Therefore, it is essential for persons who are symptomatic (even if having mild symptoms) to wear a surgical mask;
• High-risk persons (e.g. persons with underlying medical conditions or persons who are immunocompromised) should wear surgical masks when visiting public places. The general public should also wear a surgical mask when taking public transport or staying in crowded places. It is important to wear a mask properly, including performing hand hygiene before wearing and after removing a mask;
• Avoid touching one's eyes, mouth and nose;
• Practise hand hygiene frequently, wash hands with liquid soap and water properly whenever possibly contaminated;
• When hands are not visibly soiled, clean them with 70 to 80 per cent alcohol-based handrub;
• Cover the mouth and nose with tissue paper when sneezing or coughing. Dispose of soiled tissue paper properly into a lidded rubbish bin, and wash hands thoroughly afterwards;
• Maintain good indoor ventilation;
• Avoid sharing personal items;
• When having respiratory symptoms, wear a surgical mask, consider to refrain from going to work or school, avoid going to crowded places and seek medical advice promptly; and
• Maintain a balanced diet, perform physical activity regularly, take adequate rest, do not smoke and avoid overstress.

 
     For more information on the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme and the latest recommendations on vaccine use, please refer to the CHP's website.

Ends/Monday, April 7, 2025
Issued at HKT 19:25

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