CHP follows up on cases related to pet shops and updates environmental samples results of relevant pet shops

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (January 21) said it is following up on cases tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 related to pet shops.

     As of today, 8 cases tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 are related to pet shops, which are 13047, 13059, 13073, 13110, 13118, 13120, 13123 and 13124. Epidemiological investigations on the cases are ongoing.

     As at January 21 evening, CHP has collected a total of 738 environmental samples from 40 pet shops and relevant warehouses, in which a total of 30 environmental samples tested positive. The latest laboratory testing results revealed that environmental samples collected from two additional pet shops (I Love Rabbit at 545 Lockhart Road, Causeway Bay; and I Love Rabbit at Tai Po Plaza) also tested positive.

     As a prudent measure, the two newly added pet shops will be included in a compulsory testing notice. Specified persons who were present at the relevant venues from January 7 to January 18 need to undergo compulsory testing on the specified date. The staff members of the two shops will be arranged to undergo compulsory quarantine at the quarantine centre.

     The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department collected samples from hamsters at the pet shop earlier which tested positive. Based on the results of epidemiological investigation and laboratory findings the CHP possesses at this stage, it could not be ruled out preliminarily that the positive test results of the environmental samples are caused by the pets infected with the virus.