A staff member put on a wristband for a resident of Sea View Mansion in Sheung Wan to prove that he has undergone the testing, Aug 6, 2021. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVERNMENT)
HONG KONG – No positive cases have been detected as the Hong Kong government wrapped up a mandatory testing operation on Hong Kong Island early Saturday morning after a preliminary positive COVID-19 case with a variant was detected in the area.
The Hong Kong government cordoned off Sea View Mansion, 82-87 Connaught Road West in Sheung Wan for targeted testing at 7 pm Friday and required its residents to stay in their premises and undergo compulsory testing for the virus.
A total of around 300 residents were tested, with no positive cases of COVID-19 detected.
A 29-year-old fully vaccinated man residing in Sea View Mansion in Sheung Wan tested positive for the L452R mutant strain, according to the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health
Around 70 out of 180 households in the building did not answer the door. Those may include some households undergoing quarantine or isolation while some units are possibly vacant. The government will take measures to follow up.
A 29-year-old man residing in that building traveled to the United States on July 25 and returned to Hong Kong on Aug 2, during which the specimen collected upon his arrival at the airport returned positive for the L452R mutant strain, according to the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health.
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The man, who is fully vaccinated, had stayed in Hong Kong from July 15 to 25, the CHP said. His pre-departure tests conducted on July 24 in Hong Kong and Aug 2 in the US both tested negative.
As a prudent measure, the government decided to take the step as the risk of infection in the relevant area is assessed to be likely higher.
Residents of the building will also be subject to compulsory testing on days 3, 7, 12 and 19 counting from the day on which the case is announced, the CHP noted.
Government personnel has also arranged door-to-door specimen collection for people with impaired mobility and elderly persons.
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Meanwhile, the workplace and places visited by the man during the incubation period will also be included in a compulsory testing notice, said the CHP.
According to the CHP, the man works in 40-44 Bonham Strand, Sheung Wan, and went to work from July 15 to 25.
People who have visited those places are required to undergo compulsory testing within the specified period.