CHP announces latest arrangements on health declaration and situations on imported cases of novel coronavirus infection
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (January 28) announced the expansion of health declaration arrangements from West Kowloon Station of the Express Rail Link to Hong Kong International Airport tomorrow (January 29). Starting from 9am tomorrow, all inbound travellers by air from the Mainland will be required to complete and submit a health declaration form.
A spokesman for the CHP said, "The preparation for implementing health declaration measures by the Port Health Division (PHD) of the CHP is in full swing. For expanding health declaration measures to incoming travellers from the Mainland of other boundary control points, the PHD is now actively working with related departments and units on the preparation and arrangements."
Separately, the CHP is today continuing its investigations on the eight imported cases of novel coronavirus infection, and is closely monitoring a number of overseas cases and conducting related contact tracing. The public is again urged to maintain strict personal, food and environmental hygiene both locally and during travel.
The CHP today received a notification of a confirmed case in Haikou, Hainan Province, involving a female patient. She took the flight KA694 by Cathay Dragon from Hong Kong to Haikou on January 27 and was found having a fever upon arrival at Meilan International Airport. She was subsequently transferred to a hospital there for treatment.
The CHP today also received a notification of two confirmed cases in Taiwan involving two female patients, who claimed to reside in Wuhan, Hubei Province. The two patients took the flight CX408 by Cathay Pacific Airways (CX) from Hong Kong to Taiwan on January 21 before onset of symptoms. Both then sought medical attention in Taiwan.
Last night, the CHP received a notification of a confirmed case in Zhanjiang, Guangdong Province involving a 55-year-old man, who claimed to reside in Sai Kung district in Hong Kong. He visited Wuhan from January 10 to 16, and developed symptoms on January 23. He travelled to Zhanjiang on January 26 and sought medical attention there.
In addition, the health authority of the United States also informed the CHP last night of a confirmed case involving a 54-year-old man. He took the flight KA855 by Cathay Dragon from Wuhan to Hong Kong on January 20, then took the flight CX 880 by CX from Hong Kong to Los Angeles on January 21. Meanwhile, the CHP is still following up on the cases in Huizhou and Japan announced on January 25.
The CHP is continuing its epidemiological investigations and relevant contact tracing. Quarantine will be arranged for close contacts while medical surveillance will be arranged for other contacts. The Lady MacLehose Holiday Village under the Leisure and Cultural Services Department has been converted as quarantine centre and close contacts would be transferred to the village for quarantine. For the progress on the contact tracing of the cases, please see annex.
The CHP has set up a hotline (2125 1122) for the cases, which operates from 8am to 9pm daily to answer public enquiries. As at 4pm today, a total of 832 calls were received.
A dedicated webpage (www.chp.gov.hk/en/features/102465.html) has been set up by the CHP to provide relevant information and health advice on Severe Respiratory Disease associated with a Novel Infectious Agent. Information of the latest notifications received from the Mainland and overseas will be updated to the CHP website (www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/statistics_of_the_cases_novel_coronavirus_infection_en.pdf) daily at 9am and 6pm to help the public grasp information on the affected countries/areas.
A spokesman for the CHP said, "The CHP will continue to maintain its liaison with the National Health Commission, the World Health Organization and the relevant health authorities, and closely monitor the situation for risk assessment."
To prevent pneumonia and respiratory tract infection, members of the public should always maintain good personal and environmental hygiene. They are advised to:
• Wear a surgical mask when taking public transport or staying in crowded places. It is important to wear a mask properly, including hand hygiene before wearing and after removing a mask;
• Perform hand hygiene frequently, especially before touching the mouth, nose or eyes; after touching public installations such as handrails or door knobs; or when hands are contaminated by respiratory secretions after coughing or sneezing;
• Maintain drainage pipes properly and regularly (about once a week) pour about half a liter of water into each drain outlet (U-traps) to ensure environmental hygiene;
• Wash hands with liquid soap and water, and rub for at least 20 seconds. Then rinse with water and dry with a disposable paper towel. If hand washing facilities are not available, or when hands are not visibly soiled, performing hand hygiene with 70 to 80 per cent alcohol-based handrub is an effective alternative;
• Cover your mouth and nose with tissue paper when sneezing or coughing. Dispose of soiled tissues into a lidded rubbish bin, then wash hands thoroughly; and
• When having respiratory symptoms, wear a surgical mask, refrain from work or attending class at school, avoid going to crowded places and seek medical advice promptly.
The public should take heed of the health advice below when travelling outside Hong Kong:
•Do not travel to Hubei Province where community transmission of novel coronavirus is occurring. If it is unavoidable to travel to such places, put on a surgical mask and continue to do so until 14 days after returning to Hong Kong, and self-isolate for 14 days as far as possible. For those returning from other parts of the Mainland, they are advised to stay home for 14 days upon their return as far as possible. Those who need to go out should wear a surgical mask;
•Avoid close contact with persons with fever or respiratory symptoms in countries/areas with possible community transmission of novel coronavirus infection. If it is unavoidable to come into contact with them, put on a surgical mask and continue to do so until 14 days after returning to Hong Kong;
• Avoid visiting hospitals. If it is necessary to visit a hospital, put on a surgical mask and observe strict personal and hand hygiene;
• Avoid touching animals (including game), poultry/birds or their droppings;
• Avoid visiting wet markets, live poultry markets or farms;
• Avoid making close contact with patients, especially those with symptoms of acute respiratory infections;
• Do not consume game meat and do not patronise food premises where game meat is served;
• Adhere to food safety and hygiene rules such as avoiding consuming raw or undercooked animal products, including milk, eggs and meat, or foods which may be contaminated by animal secretions, excretions (such as urine) or contaminated products, unless they have been properly cooked, washed or peeled;
• If feeling unwell when outside Hong Kong, especially if experiencing a fever or cough, wear a surgical mask, inform the hotel staff or tour escort and seek medical advice at once; and
• After returning to Hong Kong, consult a doctor promptly if experiencing a fever or other symptoms, take the initiative to inform the doctor of any recent travel history and any exposure to animals, and wear a surgical mask to help prevent spread of the disease.