2 local COVID-19 cases reported

May 31, 2020

Centre for Health Protection Communicable Disease Branch Head Dr Chuang Shuk-kwan:

The possible source of case 1,084 is still under investigation. Preliminarily, we found that two of her colleagues, in her workplace in Kwai Chung, have tested as weakly positive pending confirmation. The two colleagues had onset of symptoms a bit earlier than her, in the end of April. So it is likely that there was transmission in the workplace, (where) she (caught) the disease, but the exact route of transmission is still been under investigation.

The patient had attended a general practitioner a few times, but because she did not have any travel history, possibly, she did not receive any tests from the general practitioner.

So I would like to take this opportunity to alert the doctors in Hong Kong that although most of the COVID-19 cases in Hong Kong are related to imported (cases) with travel history, there is possibly still some silent transmission (cases) in the community and any patients with respiratory symptoms are advised to take a test for COVID-19.

Also, for the general public, if you are having any respiratory symptoms or loss of smell or any symptoms that may be suspicious, please go see a doctor as soon as possible and ask for the test.

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

The Centre for Health Protection today reported that it is investigating two locally transmitted COVID-19 cases involving a 34-year-old woman and her 56-year-old husband.

The centre’s Communicable Disease Branch Head Dr Chuang Shuk-kwan provided details about case 1,084 at this afternoon’s press briefing and stated that the female patient may have caught the virus from people she worked with.

“The possible source of case 1,084 is still under investigation. Preliminarily, we found that two of her colleagues, in her workplace in Kwai Chung, have tested as weakly positive pending confirmation.

“The two colleagues had onset of symptoms a bit earlier than her, in the end of April. So it is likely that there was transmission in the workplace, where she caught the disease, but the exact route of transmission is still under investigation.”

Dr Chuang explained a possible reason for why the general practitioner did not test the woman for COVID-19 and took time to remind private doctors why it is so important to test patients.

“The patient had attended the general practitioner a few times, but because she does not have any travel history, possibly, she did not receive any tests from the general practitioner.

“So I would like to take this opportunity to alert the doctors in Hong Kong that although most of the COVID-19 cases in Hong Kong are related to imported cases with travel history, there are possibly still some silent transmissions cases in the community and any patients with respiratory symptoms are advised to take a test for COVID-19.”

Dr Chuang also reminded the public to seek medical attention if they experience any symptoms associated with COVID-19.

“Also, for the general public, if you are having any respiratory symptoms or loss of smell or any symptoms that may be suspicious, please go see a doctor as soon as possible and ask for the test.”

Additionally, the Hospital Authority reported that 44 confirmed COVID-19 patients are currently hospitalised and 1,037 confirmed and suspected patients have been discharged.

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