CHP reminds relevant residents to comply with “restriction-testing declaration” operations on two cases tested preliminarily positive for SARS-CoV-2 virus
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (January 20) reminded members of the public that "restriction-testing declarations" (RTDs) have been made for the residences of two of the cases tested preliminarily positive for SARS-CoV-2 virus the CHP is following up. The CHP strongly reminds relevant residents that they must comply with the RTD operations. Any person who fails to present an SMS notification with a test result or wear a wristband as proof of having undergone testing breaches the compulsory testing notice and may be liable to a fine of $5,000. The person will also be issued with a compulsory testing order, requiring him/her to undergo testing within a specified time frame. Failure to comply with the compulsory testing order or the RTD is an offence and the offender may be liable to a fine of level 4 ($25,000) and imprisonment for six months.
The first case involves a 37-year-old male living in Tower 1, New Haven, 363 Sha Tsui Road, Tsuen Wan. He works at Unit C, 12/F, Po Yip Building, 23 Hing Yip Street, Kwun Tong, where he last went to work on January 18. He developed cough on January 18 and consulted a private doctor on January 19. The sample collected on the same day tested preliminarily positive. He received three doses of COVID-19 vaccination (Comirnaty) on May 7, May 28, 2021 and January 14, 2022 in Hong Kong.
The second case involves a 24-year-old male living in Cheung Yan House, Cheung Sha Wan Estate, 9 Tonkin Street, Cheung Sha Wan. He works at 1/F, 22 Wo Yi Hop Road, Kwai Chung, where he last went to work on January 17. He developed runny nose and sore throat on January 17 and consulted a private doctor on the same day. His sample collected on January 18 tested preliminarily positive. He received two doses of COVID-19 vaccination (Comirnaty) on June 3 and July 2, 2021 in Hong Kong.
The CHP is now investigating the places where the two patients visited during incubation periods in order to ascertain the infection sources and to terminate the silent transmission chains in the community.
The Government has made RTDs tonight for the buildings where the patients resided (Tower 1, New Haven, 363 Sha Tsui Road, Tsuen Wan and Cheung Yan House, Cheung Sha Wan Estate, 9 Tonkin Street, Cheung Sha Wan) and persons who resided or worked at the buildings will be subject to increased compulsory testing frequency. The places where the patients had visited during the incubation periods will also be included in a compulsory testing notice. Specified persons who were present at the relevant venues at specified periods need to undergo compulsory testing on the specified date.
The spokesman for the CHP said, "The Government has remained vigilant and has been closely monitoring the latest scientific data on mutant strains as well as the epidemic situation of various places. The most stringent anti-epidemic measures will be implemented to prevent the mutant strains from spreading in the local community."
​​At the moment, the adverse impact on the epidemic situation caused by the newly emerged mutant strains is not fully known yet, but vaccination is still essential to prevent severe cases and deaths from COVID-19 infection. 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).