CHP investigates COVID-19 suspected re-positive overseas case at Island Place in North Point and two preliminary positive imported cases
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (September 28) said that it is investigating a suspected re-positive overseas case and two preliminary positive imported cases of COVID-19.
The suspected re-positive case involves a 22-year-old male patient who lives at Two Island Place, 55 Tanner Road, North Point. He left Hong Kong in mid-April 2021 and later returned to Hong Kong on September 12 by flight QR818 from Serbia. The specimen collected upon arrival in the Temporary Specimen Collection Centre (TSCC) at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) was negative for COVID-19. The results of the four tests conducted during the compulsory quarantine period were also negative. Upon completion of the compulsory quarantine at a designated quarantine hotel on September 26, he returned to his place of residence mentioned above for self-monitoring, during which he went for testing according to the relevant requirements. His sample collected on September 27 at the community testing centre at Ngau Tau Kok Road Sports Centre in Kwun Tong tested positive for COVID-19, with a Ct value larger than 30. The patient has been asymptomatic. He received two doses of COVID-19 vaccination on June 15 and July 15 in India (Covishield). According to information provided by the patient, he tested positive for COVID-19 in India in April this year. After examining the epidemiological, clinical and laboratory findings, this case is compatible with a suspected re-positive overseas case.
As the patient had stayed in Hong Kong during the past 21 days, the Government has adopted a prudent measure and made a "restriction-testing declaration" tonight for the building where the patient resided in Hong Kong (Two Island Place, 55 Tanner Road, North Point). The patient works at 18/F, Tower 2, The Quayside, 77 Hoi Bun Road, Kwun Tong, and last went to work on September 27. His workplace and the places he had visited during the incubation period will be included in a compulsory testing notice. Specified persons who had been present at the relevant venues at specified periods need to undergo compulsory testing on or before the specified date.
Also, the CHP is investigating two preliminary positive imported cases. One of the cases involves a 23-year-old female patient who lives at Tung Yik Building, 8 Yu King Square, Yuen Long, and the other case involves a 24-year-old female patient who lives at Block 20, Fortune Garden, Tam Mei, Yuen Long. They tested negative in Hong Kong on September 11 and travelled to Jordan on September 12 by flight QR817. They returned to Hong Kong on September 27 by flight QR818 and their specimens collected upon arrival in the TSCC at HKIA on the same day tested positive for COVID-19 and carry the L452R mutant strain but do not carry the N501Y or E484K mutant genes. They had been asymptomatic. The 23-year-old female patient received two doses of COVID-19 vaccination (Comirnaty) on July 5 and July 27 in Hong Kong and the 24-year-old female patient received two doses of COVID-19 vaccination (Comirnaty) on July 7 and July 29 in Hong Kong.
Epidemiological investigation and contact tracing of the cases will continue. As a prudent measure, the building where they resided and the places they had visited in Hong Kong during the incubation period have been included in a compulsory testing notice.
In view of the fact that many recent imported cases have joined non-essential travel after vaccination, the spokesman for the CHP stressed, "The global situation of COVID-19 infection remains severe and there is a continuous increase in the number of cases involving mutant strains that carry higher transmissibility, and there are also reports of breakthrough infections in some vaccinated individuals. The CHP strongly urged members of the public to avoid all non-essential travel outside Hong Kong, in particular to specified places with high risk under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Regulation of Cross-boundary Conveyances and Travellers) Regulation (Cap. 599H)."
The spokesman reminded, "If travel is unavoidable, the CHP highly recommends the public to be fully vaccinated with COVID-19 vaccines before their departure. They should avoid participating in non-essential mass gatherings or events held outside Hong Kong. They should continue to wear a surgical mask and maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene at all times. Parents are also urged to avoid taking unvaccinated children travelling."
​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).