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The Centre for Health Protection today said the infection situation at the Fook Wai Ching She temple in North Point resembles a COVID-19 outbreak involving many close contacts.

The centre’s Communicable Disease Branch Head Dr Chuang Shuk-kwan made the statement at a press briefing this afternoon.

She said the centre is investigating four additional cases of the disease, of which two female patients had visited the temple frequently.

Another two patients confirmed earlier had been to the temple as well.

Dr Chuang said: “All four cases and the suspected cases at present are related to the Fook Wai Ching She temple.

“We suspect it is just like a home outbreak or an outbreak involving a lot of close contacts."

Dr Chuang said the centre would like to check the temple and conduct environmental sampling there, adding that she does not think residents, other than those who attended the temple, are at a higher risk.

She added: “We went down to the place today and advised additional cleansing and disinfection just in case because there may be environmental contamination in that area that may pose a hazard to those living there.”

The centre’s epidemiological investigations revealed that an 80-year-old patient and a 76-year-old patient had visited the Fook Wai Ching She temple in Maylun Apartments in January and February.

The 80-year-old woman lives alone in Chin Hing House, Hing Wah Estate, Chai Wan, and developed a cough and sore throat on February 8.

She sought medical attention at Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital on February 22 and her respiratory sample tested positive for COVID-19. The patient did not travel during the incubation period.

The 76-year-old female patient lives in Maylun Apartments and developed muscle pain and fever since February 13.

She was admitted to Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital on February 22 for treatment.

The patient also did not travel during the incubation period and her husband, who lives with her, is asymptomatic and will be quarantined.

The other two additional confirmed cases involve a 68-year-old passenger of the Diamond Princess cruise and a 62-year-old man.

The 68-year-old patient was on the cruise from January 25 to February 20.

He returned to Hong Kong by a chartered flight arranged by the Government on February 20 and developed fever and cough on the same day.

The patient was transferred from Chun Yeung Estate quarantine centre to Queen Elizabeth Hospital on February 22. He is in a stable condition.

His wife, who travelled with him on the cruise, has no symptoms and is currently under quarantine.

The 62-year-old male patient lives in Choi Tin House, Hing Tin Estate in Lam Tin.

He started coughing and developed a fever on February 10 and consulted two private doctors between February 13 and 18. The patient was admitted to United Christian Hospital on February 22.

He did not travel during the incubation period and his wife and son, who live with him, are asymptomatic and will be quarantined.

The centre’s epidemiological investigations and relevant contact tracing on confirmed cases are ongoing.

For information and health advice on COVID-19, visit the Government's dedicated webpage.