CHP investigates COVID-19 preliminary positive imported case at Tower 1, Hampton Place, Tai Kok Tsui
The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health today (November 13) said that it is investigating a preliminary positive imported case of COVID-19 involving the L452R mutant strain.
The case involves a 53-year-old male patient who is a cargo flight crew member living at Tower 1, Hampton Place, Tai Kok Tsui. He tested negative on October 31 and left Hong Kong on November 3 for Germany and returned to Hong Kong on November 7 by flight CX3166 from Germany. His specimen collected upon arrival in the Temporary Specimen Collection Centre at Hong Kong International Airport tested negative for COVID-19.
He underwent compulsory testing in accordance with the relevant requirements for exempted persons. His sample collected yesterday (November 12) at a community testing centre tested preliminary positive for COVID-19, with Ct value about 24 to 26, and carried the L452R mutant strain but was negative for the N501Y and E484K strains. The patient has been asymptomatic and received two doses of COVID-19 vaccination (Comirnaty) on March 11 and April 7 in Hong Kong.
Due to presence of mutant strain with higher transmissibility and risk of infection and as all three towers of Hampton Place share the same entrance/exit for residents, the Government will make a "restriction-testing declaration" tonight for Tower 1, 2 and 3 of Hampton Place. The places where he had visited in Hong Kong during the incubation period will also be included in a compulsory testing notice.
Epidemiological investigation and contact tracing of the case will continue.
​​The Government has launched the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme. Members of the public are encouraged to get vaccinated. Details of the programme can be found at the designated website (www.covidvaccine.gov.hk).