5 imported COVID-19 cases reported

August 22, 2021

The Centre for Health Protection said today it is investigating five additional imported COVID-19 cases involving patients who arrived from the Philippines, Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates.

 

The centre also reported the latest epidemiological findings regarding a case involving a 32-year-old man whose specimen was suspected to have been contaminated by a vaccine strain.

 

The man's throat specimen, taken at the clinic of a private doctor on August 16, tested positive at the Department of Health’s Public Health Laboratory Services Branch but with a low viral load. His test results for the virus and the antibody were negative after he was admitted to hospital.

 

The private doctor had provided Sinovac vaccinations for other members of the public at the same clinic before he took the specimen for the patient. According to the genetic analysis of the patient's specimen conducted by the University of Hong Kong’s Department of Microbiology, it was compatible with the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine strain.

 

After examining the clinical, epidemiological and laboratory findings, the case is determined to be compatible with vaccine strain contamination and will not be classified as a COVID-19 infection case. The relevant close contacts had been released from the quarantine centre after negative test results were obtained from them.

 

Eleven premises that had been visited by one of the imported cases announced today are included in the compulsory testing notice. The compulsory testing requirement applies to those who have completed a COVID-19 vaccination course as well.

 

Meanwhile, people linked to Mei Yat House, Yat Tung (II) Estate in Tung Chung are reminded to undergo compulsory testing tomorrow in accordance with compulsory testing notice. The Government will set up a mobile specimen collection station at the open space outside Mei Yat House tomorrow to provide free testing service for those subject to compulsory testing.

 

A total of 41 cases were reported in Hong Kong in the past 14 days. One is a local case with an unknown infection source, another is import-related and the rest are imported.

 

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

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