The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (December 14) said as six confirmed cases of COVID-19 recently occurred at Kwai Tung House, Tung Tau (II) Estate, which involved units 15 at three different floors, the CHP is proactively following up to investigate whether the infections of the cases are related, so as to stop the potential risk of further spread of the virus.
The CHP has co-ordinated with related Government departments and organisations and conducted a site inspection this afternoon to the concerned floors and units 15 of Kwai Tung House to investigate and examine if environmental factors were involved in the infection of the cases. As the patients of the confirmed cases live on the 23rd floor or above, the CHP took into account the opinions from experts and decided to carry out prudent measures on infection control. The DH will issue quarantine orders to asymptomatic residents of units 15 between 23rd floor and 30th floor of Kwai Tung House and transfer them to quarantine centres; symptomatic residents will be sent to the hospital for treatment.
In order to comprehend the overall situation of the residents at Kwai Tung House, the CHP will also arrange rapid antigen test for residents living in units 15 on other floors as well as those living in the same units one level above and below the floor where other confirmed case from unknown sources reside.
The Government has exercised power under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Compulsory Testing for Certain Persons) Regulation (Cap. 599J) to require any person who had been present at Kwai Tung House, Tung Tau (II) Estate for more than two hours at any time during the period from November 22 to December 14 (including but not limited to residents, visitors and workers) to undergo a COVID-19 nucleic acid test by December 19. Starting from tomorrow (December 15), the Government will arrange the testing agency (BGI) to set up a mobile specimen collection station at the badminton court and volleyball court of Tung Tau (II) Estate (near the ground floor of Kwai Tung House). It will operate from 10am to 8pm daily until December 19 (tentatively).
The Government will decide whether it is necessary to extend the operation period of the mobile specimen collection station after reviewing the usage of the station and public's demand for the testing service. The testing agency will provide specimen collection services by combined nasal and throat swabs at the mobile specimen collection station free of charge for testing.
To safeguard public health and safety, the Government appeals to the co-operation of all relevant residents of Kwai Tung House to participate in the testing and stay home before the test result is known, so as to prevent the risk of spreading the virus in the community.
The CHP spokesman urges all individuals who are in doubt about their own health condition, or individuals with exposure to infection risk, to undergo testing promptly for early identification of infected persons.
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