Hospital Authority announced two preliminary positive COVID-19 cases detected via admission screening

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The Hospital Authority today (February 5) announced two preliminary positive COVID-19 cases detected via admission screening:

     An 81 year-old female patient was admitted to Accident and Emergency Department of Tseung Kwan O Hospital at around 7am this morning due to fever and cough and was sent to surveillance ward and was later confirmed preliminary positive to COVID-19. Hospital Infection Control Team conducted tracing accordingly, as a 47 year-old female patient in the same cubicle did not wear her surgical mask properly, she was identified as close contact and will be quarantined. All staff members working in the ward were required with appropriate personal protective equipment in accordance with prevailing infection control guidelines. Therefore, none of the staff members are being classified as close contacts.

     In addition, a 52-year-old male patient was admitted to surveillance cubicle of Queen Mary Hospital to collect a deep throat saliva as admission screening on yesterday afternoon (February 4). The preliminary positive result was released at around 8.30pm. The patient was then transferred to an isolation ward for further management. One doctor, one phlebotomist and one student nurse attended the patient in that cubicle. They were not in appropriate PPE though no high-risk procedures were performed on the patient. As a precautionary consideration, they are temporarily suspended from clinical duty, infection control team has conducted contact tracing. No other staff or patient are classified as close contact so far.

     Thorough cleaning and disinfection have been performed in the cubicle and its operation remains normal.

     The hospitals will continue to communicate with the Centre for Health Protection on the latest situation.