The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (January 27) said as clusters of cases tested positive or preliminarily positive for SARS-CoV-2 virus recently occurred at
Cheung Bor House, Choi Wan (I) Estate in Wong Tai Sin, Nga Kwai House in Kwai Chung Estate and On Kwai House in Kwai Fuk Court, the CHP is proactively following up to investigate whether the infection of the cases in the three buildings are related to environmental factors, so as to stop the potential risk of further spread of the virus.
With regard to Cheung Bor House, Choi Wan (I) Estate, Wong Tai Sin, 23 cases tested positive or preliminarily positive recently recorded in the building, involving a security guard who works in the building as well as 22 residents. The patients live in 16 different units, including four "07" units, three "11" units and four units on the 16th floor. The CHP has co-ordinated with related government departments and experts and conducted an inspection today of the floors and units concerned of the building. It is suspected that vertical and horizontal transmissions of virus were involved after initial investigation. Taking into account the opinions from experts, the CHP will arrange residents of "07" units and "11" units on all floors and those reside in "02" to "07" units on the 16th floor of Cheung Bor House to undergo quarantine at quarantine centre. For the top two floors (27th and 28th floors) of Cheung Bor House, residents of these two floors living in the same units as those with cases recorded in the lower floors will also be arranged to undergo quarantine at quarantine centre. All security guards who work in the building are classified as close contacts and also need to undergo quarantine at quarantine centre.
Separately, as nine cases tested positive recently occurred at Nga Kwai House in Kwai Chung Estate which involved seven units (including three "09" units); and three cases tested positive recently occurred at On Kwai House in Kwai Fuk Court which involved three units (including two "08" units), it is suspected that vertical transmissions of virus were involved in the two buildings after initial investigation. Following the inspection by the CHP and representatives from related departments, the CHP will arrange residents of "09" units on all floors of Nga Kwai House and residents of "08" units on 12th to 14th floors of On Kwai House to undergo quarantine at quarantine centre.
The CHP reminded members of the public to ensure household environmental hygiene by maintaining drainage pipes properly and regularly (about once a week) by pouring about half a litre of water into each drain outlet (U-trap). They should also pay attention to hygiene when using the toilet by putting the toilet lid down before flushing to avoid spreading germs.
According to the testing and quarantine arrangements for cases with mutant strains, persons who resided or worked within the same building as the residence of relevant cases will be subject to compulsory testing on specified dates in accordance with the announcement by the DH. They will also be required to undergo self-monitoring until the 21st day (see the details of the buildings and dates of testing at www.coronavirus.gov.hk/pdf/CTN_Specified_premises_and_Dates_of_Testing.pdf).
​The CHP strongly reminded members of the public to strictly follow the compulsory testing requirements and undergo the multiple tests on time as required. The compulsory testing requirement applies to those who have completed a COVID-19 vaccination course as well. The Government will seriously verify whether they have complied with the testing notices. Any person who fails to comply with the testing notices commits an offence and may be fined a fixed penalty of $5,000. The person would also be issued with a compulsory testing order requiring him or her to undergo testing within a specified time frame. Failure to comply with the order is an offence and the offender would be liable to a fine at level 4 ($25,000) and imprisonment for six months. Relevant officers of different government departments are empowered to perform certain functions under the relevant Regulations under the Prevention and Control of Disease Ordinance (Cap. 599), including requesting individuals to provide information and assistance when necessary. Any person who fails to comply with the relevant request commits an offence and would be liable to a fine at level 3 ($10,000). The Government reiterates that the aim of issuing a compulsory testing notice is to stop the spread of COVID-19 in the community as soon as possible to protect overall public health and safety.
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