Tag Archives: China

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CHP investigates case of Legionnaires’ disease in elderly home

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (March 7) investigating a case of Legionnaires’ disease (LD), and stressed the importance of using and maintaining properly designed man-made water systems and that susceptible groups should strictly observe relevant precautions.
      
     The female patient, aged 58 with underlying illnesses, lives in a residential care home for the elderly (RCHE) in Kwai Chung. She was admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital since February 28 due to medical conditions. She developed fever and desaturation on March 1. The clinical diagnosis was pneumonia and acute coronary syndrome and she has passed away.
      
     The patient’s urine sample tested positive for Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 antigen upon laboratory testing.
 
     Initial enquiries revealed that the patient had no travel history in the incubation period.
 
     “Epidemiological investigations with the RCHE are ongoing to identify potential sources of infection, high-risk exposure and clusters, if any. Relevant water samples and environmental swabs will be collected from potential sources for testing,” a spokesman for the CHP said.
 
     Tracing of contacts including staff and residents in the RCHE where the patient stayed is ongoing and those identified will be put under medical surveillance. The CHP has provided health advice against LD to staff and residents, including those with weakened immunity who should use sterile or boiled water for drinking, tooth brushing and mouth rinsing.

     Legionellae are found in various environmental settings and grow well in warm water (20 to 45 degrees Celsius). They can be found in aqueous environments such as water tanks, hot and cold water systems, cooling towers, whirlpools and spas, water fountains and home apparatus which support breathing. People may become infected when they breathe in contaminated droplets (aerosols) and mist generated by artificial water systems, or when handling garden soil, compost and potting mixes.

     Immunocompromised persons should: 
      
• Use sterile or boiled water for drinking, tooth brushing and mouth rinsing;
• Avoid using humidifiers, or other mist- or aerosol-generating devices. A shower may also generate small aerosols; and
• If using humidifiers, or other mist- or aerosol-generating devices, fill the water tank with only sterile or cooled freshly boiled water, and not water directly from the tap. Also, clean and maintain humidifiers/devices regularly according to manufacturers’ instructions. Never leave stagnant water in a humidifier/device. Empty the water tank, wipe all surfaces dry, and change the water daily.

     The public should observe the health advice below: 
 
• Observe personal hygiene;
• Do not smoke and avoid alcohol consumption;
• Strainers in water taps and shower heads should be inspected, cleaned, descaled and disinfected regularly or at a frequency recommended by the manufacturer;
• If a fresh-water plumbing system is properly maintained, it is not necessary to install domestic water filters. Use of water filters is not encouraged as clogging occurs easily, which can promote growth of micro-organisms. In case water filters are used, the pore size should be 0.2 micrometres (µm) and the filter needs to be changed periodically according to the manufacturer’s recommendations;
• Drain and clean water tanks of buildings at least quarterly;
• Drain or purge for at least one minute infrequently used water outlets (e.g. water taps, shower heads and hot water outlets) and stagnant points of the pipework weekly or before use;
• Seek and follow doctors’ professional advice regarding the use and maintenance of home respiratory devices and use only sterile water (not distilled or tap water) to clean and fill the reservoir. Clean and maintain the device regularly according to the manufacturer’s instructions. After cleaning/disinfection, rinse the device with sterile water, cooled freshly boiled water or water filtered with 0.2 µm filters. Never leave stagnant water in the device. Empty the water tank, keep all surfaces dry, and change the water daily; and
• When handling garden soil, compost and potting mixes:
1. Wear gloves and a face mask;
2. Water gardens and compost gently using low pressure;
3. Open composted potting mixes slowly and make sure the opening is directed away from the face;
4. Wet the soil to reduce dust when potting plants; and
5. Avoid working in poorly ventilated places such as enclosed greenhouses.

     The public may visit the CHP’s LD page, the Code of Practice for Prevention of LD and the Housekeeping Guidelines for Cold and Hot Water Systems for Building Management of the Prevention of LD Committee, and the CHP’s risk-based strategy for prevention and control of LD.  read more

Public hospitals daily update on COVID-19 cases

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     As at 0.00am today (March 7), a total of 8 010 patients who tested positive or preliminarily positive for COVID-19 are currently being treated in the North Lantau Hospital Hong Kong Infection Control Centre, the Hospital Authority (HA) Infectious Disease Centre, the Community Treatment Facility at AsiaWorld-Expo and public hospitals. There were 388 patients discharged, 161 patients who passed away in public hospitals, and 119 previously unannounced death cases. The accumulative number of patient death cases will be announced by the Centre for Health Protection from today onwards.

     There are currently around 2 300 patients isolated in the Community Isolation Facility in Penny’s Bay. 

     The HA will maintain close contact with the Centre for Health Protection to monitor the latest developments and to inform the public and healthcare workers of the latest information in a timely manner. read more

CHP investigates 9 410 confirmed and 3 997 asymptomatic additional SARS-CoV-2 virus cases with 11 743 cases pending status

     â€‹The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (March 7) announced the latest epidemic situation of COVID-19. As of 0.00am, March 7, the CHP was investigating 9 410 additional confirmed cases, 3 997 additional asymptomatic cases and 11 743 cases with pending case status in the past 24 hours (i.e. there were 25 150 additional cases that tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus in those 24 hours). Hong Kong has recorded a total of 496 767 cases that tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus so far.
     
     The newly reported cases consist of 32 imported cases and 25 118 locally acquired cases. The CHP is continuing with epidemiological investigations on the cases.

     In addition, as of 0.00am, March 7, a total of 2 074 deaths related to COVID-19 during the fifth wave (since December 31, 2021) was recorded, with 2 070 and four deaths reported from the Hospital Authority and public mortuaries respectively. Hong Kong has so far recorded a total of 2 287 deaths related to COVID-19.
 
     As at 4pm today, a total of 417 373 cases that tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus had been reported in the past 14 days (February 21 to March 6), including 417 279 locally acquired cases and 94 imported cases. A list of buildings related to the cases is available at the “COVID-19 Thematic Website” (www.coronavirus.gov.hk).

     Furthermore, among the earlier cases reported, there were cases (including pending cases) changed to confirmed, asymptomatic or re-positive cases. As at yesterday (March 6), the total number of confirmed cases was 202 704, while the figures for asymptomatic cases, re-positive cases, pending/unknown cases recorded since January 1 were 90 715, 10 and 178 188 respectively.

     Also, as the passenger flight (GA876) operated by Garuda Indonesia arriving in Hong Kong from Jakarta, Indonesia, on March 6 had 26 passengers who tested positive upon arrival, the DH thus invoked the Prevention and Control of Disease (Regulation of Cross-boundary Conveyances and Travellers) Regulation (Cap. 599H) to prohibit the landing of passenger flights in Hong Kong from Jakarta operated by Garuda Indonesia from March 8 to 21.

     People with positive or preliminary positive COVID-19 nucleic acid test results will receive an SMS notification about the result, together with a request to fill in an electronic form (www.chp.gov.hk/cdpi) to submit information, including those on family members living in the same household. This is to facilitate the work of the CHP such as epidemiological investigation and arrangement of hospital admission, isolation and quarantine. People who receive the relevant SMS should check the personal information and information on testing in the SMS carefully and fill in the electronic form as soon as possible to provide accurate and complete information.

     The spokesman for the CHP stressed that the local situation of COVID-19 infection became severe recently and there is a continuous increase in the number of cases involving mutant strains that carry higher transmissibility. With the higher transmissibility and risk of infection of the Omicron mutant strain, the CHP strongly appeals to the community to continue to comply with the social distancing measures, avoid going out and refrain from participating in unnecessary or crowded activities or gatherings (particularly religious or cross-family activities and gatherings). This would lower the risk of infection and prevent the virus from spreading in the community.

     The spokesman reminded that COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective in preventing severe cases and deaths from the SARS-CoV-2 virus. They can provide effective protection to those vaccinated in preventing serious complications and even death after infection. People who are yet to receive vaccination, especially senior citizens, chronic patients and other immunocompromised persons who face a higher chance of death after COVID-19 infection, should get vaccinated as early as possible for self-protection and to reduce the risk of falling seriously ill and death should they get infected. Meanwhile, a person who gets COVID-19 and influenza at the same time may be more seriously ill and would have a higher risk of death. Influenza vaccination may reduce the likelihood of hospitalisation and the length of stay. In addition, seasonal influenza vaccination is recommended for all persons aged 6 months or above except those with known contraindications. Persons at higher risk of getting influenza and its complications, including the elderly and children, should receive seasonal influenza vaccination early. Please see details of the vaccination schemes on the CHP’s website (www.chp.gov.hk/en/features/17980.html). read more

Government follows up on positive results of sewage surveillance and appeals to residents to undergo virus testing

     The Government announced today (March 7) that in order to fight the coronavirus epidemic, the Environmental Protection Department and the Drainage Services Department in collaboration with the cross-disciplinary team of the University of Hong Kong had strengthened the sampling of sewage for virus testing in all districts, and had detected positive results in many areas, indicating that there may be hidden cases in the premises within these areas.
 
Rapid test
 
     As regards positive sewage testing results with relatively high viral loads in the following areas, the respective District Offices will distribute over 180 000 sets of COVID-19 rapid test kits (RAT) to a total of about 180 000 residents, cleansing workers and property management staff working in the following areas starting from tomorrow (March 8) for them to take the test on their own, in order to help identify infected persons–
 

  • Kwai Tsing District – Easeful Court, Ching Wang Court, Ching Nga Court, Serene Garden, Ching Tai Court, Cheung Fat Estate and Tsing Yi Estate
  • Wong Tai Sin District – Fu Keung Court, Kai Tak Garden, Lower Wong Tai Sin Estate and Wang Tau Hom Estate
  • North District – Cheung Wah Estate
  • Tsuen Wan District – Sheung Chui Court, H Cube, New Haven, Kwan Mun Hau Tsuen, Yeung Uk Tsuen, East Asia Gardens, Tsuen Cheong Centre, Tsuen Wan Garden, Ho Fai Garden, Indi Home and Chelsea Court
  • Tai Po District – Wang Fuk Court and Tai Wo Estate
 
     Members of the public may refer to (www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzFAUzTtmKk) for enquiries relating to the use of the rapid test kits.
 
     When using a rapid test kit, please pay attention to and follow the instructions from the manufacturer to perform the test and read the result properly. It is advisable to record the displayed result by taking a photo immediately after reading. Users should wash their hands before and after performing the tests, and avoid placing non-essential items within the specimen collection area. After completing the test, wrap and seal all components of the test kit carefully and dispose properly. If the household environment is contaminated during the specimen collecting process, disinfection should be conducted with 1 in 49 diluted bleach solution or 70 per cent alcohol.
 
     If people living or working in the above areas are tested positive with the rapid test kits, they may call 2280 4772, the Government’s 24-hour hotline for “persons tested positive with rapid antigen tests in areas with positive sewage testing results” to arrange door-to-door delivery of RAT kits and/or a nasal swab self-sampling kit free of charge. If people wish to undergo PCR testing, they may collect nasal swab specimen and arrange door-to-door collection of the specimen for PCR testing. When severe symptoms (e.g. prolonged fever at 38 degrees Celsius or above, or signs such as shortness of breath, palpitations, chest pain) are developed, members of the public are urged to call the 999 hotline for arranging ambulance transfer to hospital as early as possible. read more