1 imported virus case detected

December 15, 2021

The Centre for Health Protection today said it is investigating one additional imported COVID-19 case which involves the L452R mutant strain.

 

The case concerns a 46-year-old man who arrived in Hong Kong from Germany.

 

Additionally, an imported case announced earlier is confirmed with the Omicron variant, the centre noted.

 

Case number 12498 involves a 21-year-old woman who flew in from the US on flight CX845 on December 12 and tested positive upon arrival in Hong Kong. She received two doses of the BioNTech vaccine on May 12 and June 2 in the US.

 

She developed symptoms on December 11. After admission on December 12, she had a cycle threshold (Ct) value of less than 30 and tested positive for the antibody test.

 

The whole genome sequencing conducted by the Department of Health’s Public Health Laboratory Services Branch confirmed that the patient carried the Omicron variant of concern.

 

So far, there are nine cases involving the Omicron variant in Hong Kong. As all nine cases were detected at the airport restricted area, a designated quarantine facility or designated quarantine hotel, the centre considers that there has not been a spread in the community.

 

Separately, 14 specified premises are included in today’s compulsory testing notice. Two schools, where there was an outbreak of upper respiratory tract infection or influenza-like illness, are also covered in the notice.

 

In view of the arrangements for the 2021 Legislative Council General Election, a number of community testing centres will extend their service hours to 10pm tomorrow and on December 17 to facilitate testing by polling staff, candidates and agents who need to enter polling stations at Heung Yuen Wai, Lo Wu and Lok Ma Chau Spur Line control points or Penny’s Bay Quarantine Centre.

 

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

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