20 COVID-19 cases detected

February 21, 2021

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

 

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) today said it is investigating 20 additional COVID-19 cases, of which 19 are locally transmitted.

 

Among the local cases, six have unknown sources of infection.

 

The centre's Communicable Disease Branch Head Dr Chuang Shuk-kwan told a press briefing this afternoon that four of the new cases are related to Caritas Lok Yi School in Sai Wan Ho while another two workers have also tested preliminary positive.

 

"For the special needs school, Caritas Lok Yi School, so far there is one student and one worker confirmed with COVID-19 plus two preliminary positive workers related to this school. I also mentioned that two family members of one student are also confirmed.

 

"Because the students have special needs it is difficult for them to put a mask on all the time or even some of the time. So if any of them get infected, it is easy for them to infect others, especially in a residential setting where they have a lot of care assistance to the students."

 

Of the unlinked cases, one involves a minibus driver who had worked during the infectious period.

 

Dr Chuang pointed out that passengers who had taken the minibus, which runs on the Tsuen Wan to Kwun Tong route via Castle Peak Road, will not be classified as close contacts.

 

"I understand that usually the driver and passengers' usual contact is when handling money. This is a red minibus, so it is possible there is some money handling when you get off the bus.

 

"If the public is worried or they rode on this bus route, maybe they have to observe their symptoms and if they are worried, go and get tested."

 

The CHP also reported that there are more than 10 preliminary positive cases.

 

One of them involves an IT worker at a property company in Sham Shui Po, where a confirmed COVID-19 case had been detected earlier. About 100 staff are required to undergo quarantine.

 

Dr Chuang said: "For the Sham Shui Po preliminary positive case, the patient works at a property company where there was an earlier confirmed case and both colleagues work in the IT department.

 

"So, as there are two cases in the company, we have to put all the workers - even if they wear masks during work - under quarantine because we noted that there may be some transmission in the company."

 

Meanwhile, six buildings with one or more new confirmed cases are now covered by compulsory testing notices.

 

People who had been at these premises for more than two hours from February 8 to 21 have to undergo testing by February 23.

 

The Government will set up mobile specimen collection stations at Tsz Ching Estate in Tsz Wan Shan, Kwai Luen Estate in Kwai Chung and Sheung Tak Estate in Tseung Kwan O tomorrow.

 

Additionally, the service period of the mobile stations at Kwun Tong Recreation Ground, King George V Memorial Park, Kowloon, Arthur Street Temporary Playground in Yau Ma Tei, 100 Granville Road in Tsim Sha Tsui, North District Community Centre in Sheung Shui and Sha Tsui Road Playground in Tsuen Wan will be extended.

 

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

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