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

The Hospital Authority announced today that it is investigating a COVID-19 case involving a Caritas Medical Centre (CMC) nurse.

The 31-year-old nurse of the Medicine & Geriatrics Department at CMC had an onset of malaise, throat discomfort and a mild dry cough since August 6 and loss of smell and taste since August 8.

She attended the hospital’s accident and emergency department yesterday and preliminarily tested positive for COVID-19.

Briefing the media on the case this afternoon, Hospital Authority Chief Manager (Clinical Effectiveness & Technology Management) Dr Linda Yu emphasised that while the nurse’s work does not involve contact with COVID-19 patients, she regularly wore protective equipment on duty.

“Under preliminary assessment, she didn't have any contact with confirmed cases and she was not working in isolation wards. So, we are still undergoing investigation for the possible source of her infection.

“As she worked in (the) hospital, she would (routinely) wear personal protective equipment as appropriate. So, we believe that (the measure) would reduce the chance of infecting others.”

Five nurses who had meals with her are classified as close contacts and have to be quarantined for 14 days.