The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is today (March 15) proactively following up on three cases of COVID-19 in Heng Tai House, Fu Heng Estate in Tai Po, and is immediately carrying out active case finding at the "13" and "14" units of Heng Tai House to identify if there are undiagnosed cases so as to stop the potential risk of further spread of the virus.
As the 59-year-old male patient of the 140th case confirmed on March 14 and a couple who had joined the Egypt tour group (the 119th and 124th cases confirmed on March 10 and March 11 respectively) all reside at the "13" unit on different floors in Heng Tai House, Fu Heng Estate, the CHP has proactively followed up to investigate whether the infections of the three cases are related.
The CHP has immediately co-ordinated with relevant government departments and organisations and activated the multi-disciplinary response team to investigate and examine if environmental factors were involved in the infection of the three cases.
Personnel from the CHP have immediately inspected Heng Tai House, Fu Heng Estate and conducted active case finding on residents living at the "13" and "14" units of the whole block. Taking into the opinions from experts, the CHP decided to carry out prudent measures on infection control. Although the flats of the confirmed cases are located on the 32nd and 34th floor, all asymptomatic residents of "13" and "14" units of the 29th to 34th floor will be issued quarantine orders and be transferred to quarantine centre. Symptomatic residents will be sent to the hospital for isolation.
For "13" units from the 1st to 28th floor of Heng Tai House, 11 flats have been earlier inspected by the Housing Department subsequent to the incident at Hong Mei House, Cheung Hong Estate so as to ensure that their vent pipes at the toilet have been sealed. The Buildings Department will inspect the 17 remaining flats which are not under the management of the Housing Department. If vent pipes were detected with alteration problem, the residents of the concerned "13" unit will be transferred to quarantine centre.
Meanwhile, the CHP will collect deep throat saliva specimens for all residents of the "13" and "14" units of Heng Tai House for testing of COVID-19 virus. Environmental specimens have also been collected at different points of the building for epidemiological investigation.
The DH will also provide residents with guidelines on professional cleaning and disinfection, such as to maintain drainage pipes properly and regularly pour about half a liter of water into each drain outlet (U-traps) to ensure environmental hygiene, and after using the toilet, to put the toilet lid down before flushing to avoid spreading germs.
The CHP has set up a hotline (2125 1122), which operates from 8am to midnight daily, for public enquiries.
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