Two staff members of DH preliminary test positive for COVID-19

     The Department of Health (DH) today (December 11) said that two staff members respectively from its Government Chinese Medicines Testing Institute (GCMTI) and Dental Services have preliminary tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
 
     The staff member of GCMTI concerned is a non-medical staff who mainly performs research work of Chinese medicines. He does not have contact with members of the public during his daily work. He is a close contact of a confirmed case and last performed duties on December 7. His body temperature was normal during temperature screening before commencing duty. The staff member concerned wore a mask and followed relevant disease prevention measures at work.
 
     In consideration of public health and hygiene, the office at Science Park, Shatin, where the staff member had stayed, was closed immediately for a thorough cleaning and disinfection.
 
     Concerning the staff member of the Dental Services, she is a Dental Surgery Assistant. She works in Argyle Street Jockey Club School Dental Clinic (3/F), and is mainly responsible for supporting service in the treatment hall. Her family member was a confirmed case. She was notified by the CHP on December 10 evening that her deep throat saliva test was preliminary positive. She remained asymptomatic all along. The staff member last performed her duties in the clinic on December 10 and did not have contact with patients during her work. She wore surgical masks while performing duties and properly maintained social distancing with people with whom she had contact. Her body temperature was normal when undergoing temperature screening during work.
 
     The Argyle Street Jockey Club School Dental Clinic was temporarily closed today for thorough cleaning and disinfection operations.
 
     The DH's Centre for Health Protection has initiated an epidemiological investigation on the above two cases. Relevant contact tracing are ongoing to identify and trace close contacts of the staff members.
 
     The DH is highly concerned about the COVID-19 situation and has been strictly implementing various disease prevention measures during the epidemic, which include providing employees with masks and other protective equipment, stepping up the cleaning and sanitising measures of the working environment, and reminding all staff again to maintain personal hygiene and be vigilant at all times.