17 imported COVID-19 cases found

August 27, 2021

The Centre for Health Protection today said it is investigating 17 additional imported COVID-19 cases of which 15 are crew members of a cargo vessel that arrived in Hong Kong from Indonesia.

 

The centre explained that the vessel, Thor Monadic, arrived on August 24 with 23 crew on board. Fifteen of them tested positive for COVID-19 by samples taken on August 25 and all those confirmed with the virus carry the L452R mutant strain.

 

One of the patients developed cough and other symptoms on August 20. All of the patients will be sent to the hospital for isolation treatment.

 

The centre pointed out that the sea crew members had not gone ashore after arriving in Hong Kong.

 

As a prudent measure, the vessel's remaining crew members must undergo quarantine on board and get tested during the quarantine period. Epidemiological investigations are underway.

 

The centre added that the vessel operator was suspected of providing false information to the Department of Health during the application for free pratique. The department is carrying out an investigation and will seek the Department of Justice’s advice for suspected contravention of the Prevention & Control of Disease Regulation.

 

Meanwhile, the centre was notified of a confirmed COVID-19 case in the UK involving a 59-year-old woman. She departed Hong Kong on August 15 for the UK.

 

Her pre-departure test conducted on August 13 tested negative while her specimen collected on August 20 in the UK tested positive and she remains asymptomatic.

 

According to the patient, she received two doses of the BioNTech vaccination on April 12 and May 3 in Hong Kong. The centre is following up on the case with the UK health authority and epidemiological investigations are ongoing.

 

For the sake of prudence, the premises where she had resided, Block A, Sunlight Court, 30 Bisney Road in Pok Fu Lam, and worked, 28/F, C-Bons International Center, 108 Wai Yip Street in Kwun Tong, in the city during the incubation period will be put under a compulsory testing notice.

 

The centre also reminded people linked to Mei Yat House, Yat Tung (II) Estate in Tung Chung to undergo testing tomorrow in accordance with the compulsory testing notice. The mobile specimen collection station at the open space outside Mei Yat House will continue to operate tomorrow to provide free testing service for those subject to compulsory testing.

 

The service period of the mobile specimen collection stations at Edinburgh Place in Central, Wong Tai Sin Square, Lai Kok Community Hall in Cheung Sha Wan, MacPherson Playground in Mong Kok, Sha Tsui Road Playground in Tsuen Wan and Tin Shui Sports Centre in Tin Shui Wai will be extended to September 12 and that of the station at Tung Chung North Park will be extended to September 30.

 

A total of 52 cases were reported in Hong Kong in the past 14 days. One is a local case with an unknown infection source, another is import-related and the rest are imported.

 

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

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