Follow-up on COVID-19 preliminary positive cases at US Consulate General in Hong Kong

     The Government today (March 15) said that it has been following up two COVID-19 preliminary positive cases involving staff members of the US Consulate General in Hong Kong in full accordance with the established procedures. The cases have been admitted to the hospital for isolation, and all staff members and visitors who have been present at the relevant premises are required to undergo testing according to the relevant legislation. 
      
     The two preliminary positive cases belong to the same family. Having learnt that the two patient are staff members of the US Consulate General in Hong Kong, the Government has immediately liaised with the Consulate General; the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) has also contacted the relevant persons, and arranged them to be admitted to the hospital for isolation and medical treatment according to the mechanism.
      
     At the same time, the CHP has initiated an epidemiological investigation on the cases and relevant contact tracing, and advised the US Consulate General in Hong Kong to arrange testing for its staff members as well as deep cleaning and disinfection at the premises in order to protect the staff members of the Consulate General and safeguard public health. The Food and Health Bureau also issues a compulsory testing notice pursuant to the Prevention and Control of Disease (Compulsory Testing for Certain Persons) Regulation (Cap. 599J), which requires any person who had been present at the US Consulate General in Hong Kong between March 2 and 15, 2021 to undergo a COVID-19 nucleic acid test.
      
     The US Consulate General in Hong Kong has been fully co-operative with the Government on all the above action items to combat COVID-19.
      
     The CHP called on members of the public to avoid going out, having social contact and dining out. They should put on a surgical mask and maintain stringent hand hygiene when they need to go out. The public are also reminded to stay vigilant at all times, and if they feel unwell, they should seek medical attention immediately.