CHP investigates preliminary positive local case of COVID-19 at Yat Tung (II) Estate in Tung Chung

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (August 16) said that it is investigating a preliminary positive local case of COVID-19 from an unknown source involving the L452R mutant strain. 

     The case involves a 47-year-old female patient who lives at Mei Yat House in Yat Tung (II) Estate in Tung Chung. She developed symptoms including fever and consulted a private doctor yesterday (August 15). She attended the Accident and Emergency Department of North Lantau Hospital on the same day. Her deep throat saliva sample on August 15 tested preliminary positive and carried the L452R mutant strain, but did not carry the N501Y and E484K mutant genes.

     The CHP's epidemiological investigations and relevant contact tracing on the above case are ongoing. Preliminary information revealed that she had no travel history during the incubation period and the CHP has classified the case as a local case. She worked as an airline lounge staff member at Hong Kong International Airport and last went to work on August 14. The patient has not received COVID-19 vaccination.

     As the case involves a mutant strain which carries higher transmissibility, the Government will make a restriction-testing declaration for Mei Yat House in Yat Tung (II) Estate in Tung Chung tonight. Residents of the building will also be subject to compulsory testing on Days 3, 7, 12 and 19 counting from the day on which the case is announced.

     Moreover, the patient's workplace and the places she had visited during the incubation and infectious 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.

     â€‹The CHP also 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. Moreover, the Government has launched the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme. Members of the public are encouraged to get vaccinated as soon as possible. Details of the programme can be found at the designated website (www.covidvaccine.gov.hk).