2 locally transmitted cases reported

May 13, 2020

(To watch the full press briefing with sign language interpretation, click here.)

 

The Centre for Health Protection today confirmed that it is investigating two locally transmitted cases of COVID-19 after more than three weeks of handling only imported cases.

 

While sharing details about the cases at a press briefing, the centre’s Communicable Disease Branch Head Dr Chuang Shuk-kwan said those infected include a 66-year old woman who lives in Tsuen Wan and her five-year-old granddaughter.

 

“For the new local cases, Cases 1,049 and 1,050, they are family contacts. We have quarantined all the close contacts in the quarantine centre and we will test them.”

 

Dr Chuang explained that the circumstances behind these particular cases will require testing residents in the buildings where the woman and her granddaughter live.

 

“Because it has been quite a while since we have had a local case, we are trying to take this opportunity to test the residents in the housing blocks where she stayed or lived during the incubation period, as well as the infectious period, to understand more about the local situation in case there are some cases silent transmission that we can we can detect.

 

“I think in Lei Muk Shue Estate, they have around 800 households and for the other building there are around 60. For Lei Muk Shue Estate, we are trying to work with other relevant government departments or the building management to see how we can distribute the specimen bottles to them effectively.

 

“And for the other block, because the block size is small, we will try to distribute the bottles to them by ourselves.”

 

Dr Chuang emphasised that the woman travelled the city daily, so conducting this round of testing could help track down the source of the virus.

 

“This test result will indicate the epidemic situation in the local community. It does not mean that the patient acquired the disease from these two blocks, because she also participated in a bit of community activities.

 

"She travelled daily, from Lei Muk Shue Estate to Tsuen Wan by minibus, and also visited some markets. Her household contacts may also be a source.

 

“We are also investigating the people who are in contact with her household to see whether there are other possible sources.”

 

Additionally, the centre is investigating an imported case involving a 34-year-old man who returned from Pakistan on May 9. He developed fever on May 12 and has no close contacts.

 

Currently, the number of confirmed cases in Hong Kong is 1,050.

 

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

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