The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) has announced that as of 4pm today (June 13), the CHP was investigating an additional confirmed case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), taking the number of cases to 1,110 in Hong Kong so far (comprising 1,109 confirmed cases and one probable case).
The case involves a 33-year-old male (the 1,110th case) with good past health who resides at the "10" unit in Luk Chuen House, Lek Yuen Estate, Sha Tin, which is on the same floor and adjacent to the "12" unit that the 34-year-old female patient of the 1,084th case confirmed on May 31 reside at. In view of the cluster involving residents in Luk Chuen House, the DH carried out prudent measures on infection control and evacuated all asymptomatic residents of the "10" and "12" units of Luk Chuen House on June 4. The patient was also arranged to be sent to quarantine centre on June 4 and was admitted to Prince of Wales Hospital (PWH) for management on the same day due to fever. The patient's nasopharyngeal and throat swab, deep throat saliva sample and stool specimen collected during his stay in the hospital tested negative for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). He underwent a bronchoscopy yesterday (June 12) due to persistent fever and pneumonia. His bronchoalveolar lavage specimen collected during the bronchoscopy was tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. He is in a stable condition.
The patient was admitted to hospital since June 4 and prior to that, he mainly stayed at home without going out. Except for his two elder brothers and his mother living with him, he does not have other close contacts. His two elder brothers and mother were also arranged for quarantine on June 4. The two brothers were sent to PWH on the same day due to fever. Their respiratory specimens tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 and their fever later subsided. The patient's mother remained asymptomatic. The three are still under quarantine in the quarantine centre.
According to the CHP's initial epidemiological investigation, as the patient lived adjacent to the family cluster of the 1,084th case, there is possibility that he was infected due to environmental factors. The case is thus classified as epidemiologically linked with local cases. The CHP's epidemiological investigation is ongoing. In addition, relevant government departments and experts have been actively following up on the environmental factors involving the "10" and "12" units of Luk Chuen House.
Meanwhile, the CHP has been actively conducting epidemiological investigation as well as carrying out preventive and control measures in regard to the cluster in Luk Chuen House. As of 4pm today, 1,399 deep throat saliva samples had been collected in Luk Chuen House, among which six samples need to be collected again owing to leakage, while 1,393 samples have had testing for COVID-19 completed. Except for the four confirmed cases announced on June 2 with positive results, other samples have tested negative.
The CHP is also following up with the residents in Luk Chuen House who have not yet returned their deep throat saliva samples. The CHP strongly appeals to those who have not got in touch with the CHP to contact the CHP personnel according to the medical test order issued and return their samples to the CHP as soon as possible for testing.
Meanwhile, as of 4pm today, the CHP had collected and tested 2,120 samples for Luen Yuet House, Kwai Luen Estate, with no positive results.
The CHP again urged members of the public to maintain an appropriate social distance with other people as far as possible in their daily lives to minimise the risk of infection. In particular, they should go out less and avoid social activities such as meal gatherings or other gatherings to reduce the chance of contacting infected persons who may not present any symptoms, and minimise the risk of outbreak clusters emerging in the community.
A spokesman for the CHP said, "Given that the situation of COVID-19 infection remains severe and that there is a continuous increase in the number of cases reported around the world, members of the public are strongly urged to avoid all non-essential travel outside Hong Kong.
"The CHP also strongly urges the public to maintain at all times strict personal and environmental hygiene, which is key to personal protection against infection and prevention of the spread of the disease in the community. On a personal level, members of the public should wear a surgical mask when having respiratory symptoms, taking public transport or staying in crowded places. They should also perform hand hygiene frequently, especially before touching the mouth, nose or eyes.
"As for household environmental hygiene, members of the public are advised to maintain drainage pipes properly, regularly pour water into drain outlets (U-traps) and cover all floor drain outlets when they are not in use. After using the toilet, they should put the toilet lid down before flushing to avoid spreading germs."
Moreover, the Government has launched the website "COVID-19 Thematic Website" (www.coronavirus.gov.hk) for announcing the latest updates on various news on COVID-19 infection and health advice to help the public understand the latest updates. Members of the public may also gain access to information via the COVID-19 WhatsApp Helpline launched by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer. Simply by saving 9617 1823 in their phone contacts or clicking the link wa.me/85296171823?text=hi, they will be able to obtain information on COVID-19 as well as the "StayHomeSafe" mobile app and wristband via WhatsApp.
To prevent pneumonia and respiratory tract infections, members of the public should always maintain good personal and environmental hygiene. They are advised to:
• Wear a surgical mask when taking public transport or staying in crowded places. It is important to wear a mask properly, including performing hand hygiene before wearing and after removing a mask;
• Perform hand hygiene frequently, especially before touching the mouth, nose or eyes, after touching public installations such as handrails or doorknobs, or when hands are contaminated by respiratory secretions after coughing or sneezing;
• Maintain drainage pipes properly and regularly (about once a week) pour about half a litre of water into each drain outlet (U-trap) to ensure environmental hygiene;
• Cover all floor drain outlets when they are not in use;
• After using the toilet, put the toilet lid down before flushing to avoid spreading germs;
• Wash hands with liquid soap and water, and rub for at least 20 seconds. Then rinse with water and dry with a disposable paper towel. If hand washing facilities are not available, or when hands are not visibly soiled, performing hand hygiene with 70 to 80 per cent alcohol-based handrub is an effective alternative;
• Cover your mouth and nose with tissue paper when sneezing or coughing. Dispose of soiled tissues into a lidded rubbish bin, then wash hands thoroughly; and
• When having respiratory symptoms, wear a surgical mask, refrain from work or attending class at school, avoid going to crowded places and seek medical advice promptly.