The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (April 30) received a report of a case of severe paediatric COVID-19 and rhinovirus/ enterovirus infection and reminded the public to observe personal, hand and environmental hygiene at all times. High-risk individuals should receive a COVID-19 vaccination as soon as possible and receive booster doses at appropriate times to minimise the risk of serious complications and death after infection.
           
     The case involves a 16-month-old boy with good past health, who developed fever, shortness of breath and wheezing since April 29 and sought medical attention from two private doctors on the same day. He attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Kwong Wah Hospital (KWH) today. His respiratory specimen was tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 virus and rhinovirus/ enterovirus upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis was COVID-19 and rhinovirus/ enterovirus co-infection complicated with croup. He is still hospitalised at the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit of KWH and is in critical condition.
           
     A preliminary investigation revealed that the patient had not received COVID-19 vaccine and had travelled to Taipei during the incubation period. Two of his household contacts were tested positive for COVID-19 by rapid antigen test. One of them had respiratory symptoms.
           
    The overall activity of COVID-19 in the local community has continued to rise since mid-March of this year. According to the latest surveillance data as of the week ending April 19, the viral load of the SARS-CoV-2 virus from sewage surveillance, the test positivity rate and the average consultation rate of COVID-19 cases in general out-patient clinics have continued to rise over the past four weeks. In particular, the percentage of respiratory samples testing positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus increased to 8.21 per cent from 1.71 per cent four weeks ago (the week of March 16 to 22), a record high in the past six months. The viral load per capita of the SARS-CoV-2 virus was around 440 000 copy/litre, significantly increased from 260 000 copy/litre four weeks ago. Furthermore, sewage surveillance data showed that the local prevalence of XDV was on the rise. As XDV is a JN.1-related variant, the COVID-19 vaccines currently used in Hong Kong are still effective in preventing it.
           
    The CHP reminded 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 to minimise the risk of serious complications and death after infection.
          
     Apart from vaccination, in order to prevent 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/Wednesday, April 30, 2025
Issued at HKT 20:57

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