The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) announced that as of 0.00am, October 14, the CHP was investigating one additional confirmed case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), taking the number of cases to 12 277 in Hong Kong so far (comprising 12 276 confirmed cases and one probable case).
The newly reported case is an imported case (case 12282), involving a 30-year-old female patient who is a foreign domestic helper. She arrived in Hong Kong on September 17 from Indonesia by flight CX798. The specimen collected upon arrival in the Temporary Specimen Collection Centre at the Hong Kong International Airport tested negative for COVID-19. The results of the six tests conducted during the compulsory quarantine period at the designated quarantine facility (Silka Tsuen Wan) were all negative. Upon completion of the compulsory quarantine on October 7, she returned to the residence of her employer at Tower 10, Phase 3 – The Graces, Providence Bay, Tai Po. The patient developed symptoms on October 8. She underwent another test on October 12 and the test result was positive but with low viral load (Ct value larger than 30). Her test results after admission to hospital was indeterminate. She received two doses of COVID-19 vaccination (CoronaVac) on July 9 and August 11 in Indonesia. Epidemiological investigation and contact tracing of the case is continuing. As a prudent measure, the places where she resided and visited in Hong Kong during the incubation period have been included in a compulsory testing notice. Specified persons who were present at the relevant venue at specified periods need to undergo compulsory testing on or before October 16.
A total of 61 cases have been reported in the past 14 days (September 30 to October 13) including a local case with unknown sources, while the rest are imported cases.
​The CHP's epidemiological investigations and relevant contact tracing on the confirmed cases are ongoing. For case details and contact tracing information, please see the Annex or the list of buildings with confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the past 14 days and the latest local situation of COVID-19 available on the website "COVID-19 Thematic Website" (www.coronavirus.gov.hk). The DH has also been closely monitoring the mutant strains of SARS CoV-2 and has uploaded the relevant information on Variants of Concern (VOCs) and Variants of Interest (VOIs), based on whole genome sequencing results, to the CHP's website (www.chp.gov.hk/en/statistics/data/10/641/100135/6973.html). The data will be updated regularly.
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 urges 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). Generally speaking, COVID-19 vaccination can prevent COVID-19 infection, and if infected, reduce the risk of severe disease and death from COVID-19.
The CHP called on members of the public to pay attention to their health condition, seek medical advice early and undergo COVID-19 nucleic acid testing as soon as possible if respiratory symptoms develop. They should also maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene at all times to protect themselves against infection and prevent the spread of the disease in the community. For more related health advice, please refer to the website www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/health-advice.html.
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