Source:
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202001/27/P2020012700049.htm
CHP investigates three additional imported cases of novel coronavirus infection
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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) has been investigating three additional imported cases of novel coronavirus infection since yesterday (January 26). The public is again urged to maintain strict personal, food and environmental hygiene both locally and during travel.
The first case involved a 47-year-old male with good past health who works in Wuhan, Hubei Province. According to the information he provided, he developed fever on January 20 and sought treatment at a hospital in Wuhan on the following day, with his fever subsided on the same day. On January 23, he travelled to Xianning by car and from Xianning he took High-Speed Rail to Shenzhenbei (G1035 carriage No. 2, row no. 11), then from Shenzhenbei to Hong Kong (G407 carriage No. 3, row no. 17), then proceeded to his flat in Universal Towers on Kin Wah Street in North Point. On January 23 evening, he sought treatment from Ruttonjee Hospital's Accident and Emergency Department (A&ED) for dog bite in the Mainland earlier. He had no fever at that moment. He attended Ruttonjee Hospital for medical treatment again on January 25 and was admitted for management. He is now in stable condition. His respiratory samples were tested positive for novel coronavirus.
The CHP has immediately commenced epidemiological investigations and conducted relevant contact tracing. According to the patient, he worked at a vegetable market in Baishazhou in Wuchang District in Wuhan during the incubation period but had no exposure to wild animals. Preliminary investigations revealed that his wife and daughters are asymptomatic and will be transferred to Lady MacLehose Holiday Village for quarantine.
The second case involves a 68-year-old woman with good past health who lives in Shenzhen. According to the information she provided, she travelled from Shenzhen to Lo Wu Control Point on January 25. She developed fever and cough since January 21 and was intercepted by staff of DH's Port Health Division at Lo Wu Control Point on January 25. She was immediately taken to the North District Hospital for isolation and treatment. The patient is now in stable condition. Her respiratory samples were tested positive for novel coronavirus.
According to the patient, she had visited family member in Wuhan during the incubation period but had neither any exposure to wild animals nor visited any wet markets there. Preliminary investigations revealed that she came to Hong Kong on her own and her husband also lives in Shenzhen. She does not have any home contacts in Hong Kong.
The third case involves a 64-year-old male patient, with underlying illness, residing in Wuhan. He is the husband of the patient (62-year-old female) of the third imported case of novel coronavirus infection in Hong Kong. Since he is a close contact of the 62-year-old female patient, he was already sent to Lady MacLehose Holiday Village for quarantine on January 24. He developed fever on January 25 night and was transferred to Tuen Mun Hospital (TMH) for isolation and treatment. The patient is now in stable condition. His respiratory samples were tested positive for novel coronavirus.
According to the patient, he travelled from Wuhan to Shenzhenbei (G1013) and then from Shenzhenbei to Hong Kong (G6543) by High-Speed Rail on January 19. Preliminary investigations revealed that he and his wife came to Hong Kong to visit their daughter and son-in-law and stayed at South Hillcrest in Tuen Mun. Their daughter and son-in-law are asymptomatic and are now at Lady MacLehose Holiday Village for quarantine.
Meanwhile, the CHP is following up on the contact tracing concerning the incident at TMH A&ED. A total of 11 patients, two people in their company and a male security guard were identified as close contacts. Among them, five were in-patients of TMH and will continue to receive treatment in the hospital. Among the six patients that did not require admission, one developed relevant symptoms and had been admitted to Tuen Mun Hospital for treatment, one had been admitted to Tin Shui Wai Hospital for treatment for his needs and three were arranged to MacLehose Holiday Village for quarantine. One person accompanying a patient and the male security guard were also arranged to MacLehose Holiday Village for quarantine. The CHP is continuing the relevant contact tracing.
The CHP is continuing its epidemiological investigations and relevant contact tracing of the eight confirmed imported cases in Hong Kong. As at 8pm yesterday, the progress on the contact tracing of cases is as below:
[TABLE="border: 1, width: 604"]
[TR]
[TD] [/TD]
[TD]Close Contact[/TD]
[TD]Other contact[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]1st case (39-year-old male patient)[/TD]
[TD]4 persons
3 of them are staying at Lady MacLehose Holiday Village for quarantine. 1 other contact has developed relevant symptoms and had been taken to Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital for isolation.[/TD]
[TD]49 persons
6 of them have developed relevant symptoms and were regarded as suspected cases. The laboratory results of all of them were confirmed negative for novel coronavirus and they have been discharged.
The remaining 43 asymptomatic contacts are under medical surveillance.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]2nd case (56-year-old male patient)[/TD]
[TD]4 persons
All contacts are staying at Lady MacLehose Holiday Village for quarantine.[/TD]
[TD]21 persons
All contacts are asymptomatic and under medical surveillance.
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]3rd case (62-year-old female patient)[/TD]
[TD]16 persons
Two contacts are staying at Lady MacLehose Holiday Village for quarantine.
Regarding the contacting tracing of 14 additional close contacts at TMH A&ED, please refer to the details above.[/TD]
[TD]Nil[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]4th and 5th case (62-year-old female patient and 63-year-old male patient)[/TD]
[TD]2 persons
1 close contact has developed relevant symptoms and has been transferred to the Prince of Wales Hospital for isolation and management. Another close contact is asymptomatic and has been transferred to the Lady MacLehose Holiday Village for quarantine.[/TD]
[TD]3 persons
All contacts are asymptomatic and under medical surveillance.
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]6th case (47-year-old male patient)[/TD]
[TD]3 persons
All contacts will be arranged for quarantine at Lady MacLehose Holiday Village.[/TD]
[TD]Pending[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]7th case (68-year-old female patient)[/TD]
[TD]Pending[/TD]
[TD]Pending[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]8th case (64-year-old male patient)[/TD]
[TD]2 persons
All contacts are staying at Lady MacLehose Holiday Village for quarantine.
[/TD]
[TD]Pending[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
Quarantine will be arranged for close contacts while medical surveillance will be arranged for other contacts. The Lady MacLehose Holiday Village under the Leisure and Cultural Services Department has been converted as quarantine centre and close contacts would be transferred to the village for quarantine.
There are 8 confirmed imported cases so far. The CHP has set up a hotline (2125 1122) for the cases, which operates from 8am to 9pm daily to answer public enquiries. As at 4pm today, a total of 479 calls were received.
A dedicated webpage (
www.chp.gov.hk/en/features/102465.html) has been set up by the CHP to provide relevant information and health advice on Severe Respiratory Disease associated with a Novel Infectious Agent. Information of the latest notifications received from the Mainland and overseas will be updated to the CHP website (
www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/statistics_of_the_cases_novel_coronavirus_infection_en.pdf) daily at 9am and 6pm to help the public grasp information on the affected countries/areas.
A spokesman for the CHP said, "The CHP will continue to maintain its liaison with the National Health Commission, the World Health Organization and the relevant health authorities, and closely monitor the situation for risk assessment."
To prevent pneumonia and respiratory tract infection, members of the public should always maintain good personal and environmental hygiene. They are advised to:
• Wear a surgical mask when taking public transport or staying in crowded places. It is important to wear a mask properly, including hand hygiene before wearing and after removing a mask;
• Perform hand hygiene frequently, especially before touching the mouth, nose or eyes; after touching public installations such as handrails or door knobs; or when hands are contaminated by respiratory secretions after coughing or sneezing;
• Maintain drainage pipes properly and regularly (about once a week) pour about half a liter of water into each drain outlet (U-traps) to ensure environmental hygiene;
• Wash hands with liquid soap and water, and rub for at least 20 seconds. Then rinse with water and dry with a disposable paper towel. If hand washing facilities are not available, or when hands are not visibly soiled, performing hand hygiene with 70 to 80 per cent alcohol-based handrub is an effective alternative;
• Cover your mouth and nose with tissue paper when sneezing or coughing. Dispose of soiled tissues into a lidded rubbish bin, then wash hands thoroughly; and
• When having respiratory symptoms, wear a surgical mask, refrain from work or attending class at school, avoid going to crowded places and seek medical advice promptly.
The public should take heed of the health advice below when travelling outside Hong Kong:
•Do not travel to Hubei Province where community transmission of novel coronavirus is occurring. If it is unavoidable to travel to such places, put on a surgical mask and continue to do so until 14 days after returning to Hong Kong;
•Avoid close contact with persons with fever or respiratory symptoms in countries/areas with possible community transmission of novel coronavirus infection. If it is unavoidable to come into contact with them, put on a surgical mask and continue to do so until 14 days after returning to Hong Kong;
• Avoid visiting hospitals. If it is necessary to visit a hospital, put on a surgical mask and observe strict personal and hand hygiene;
• Avoid touching animals (including game), poultry/birds or their droppings;
• Avoid visiting wet markets, live poultry markets or farms;
• Avoid making close contact with patients, especially those with symptoms of acute respiratory infections;
• Do not consume game meat and do not patronise food premises where game meat is served;
• Adhere to food safety and hygiene rules such as avoiding consuming raw or undercooked animal products, including milk, eggs and meat, or foods which may be contaminated by animal secretions, excretions (such as urine) or contaminated products, unless they have been properly cooked, washed or peeled;
• If feeling unwell when outside Hong Kong, especially if experiencing a fever or cough, wear a surgical mask, inform the hotel staff or tour escort and seek medical advice at once; and
• After returning to Hong Kong, consult a doctor promptly if experiencing a fever or other symptoms, take the initiative to inform the doctor of any recent travel history and any exposure to animals, and wear a surgical mask to help prevent spread of the disease.
Ends/Monday, January 27, 2020
Issued at HKT 1:42
