Practices to counter disease

February 11, 2020

Hong Kong University Chair of Infectious Diseases Prof Yuen Kwok-yung:

The time-honoured measures that we mentioned about hand hygiene, masking and social distancing would always stand as the most important. And I think in terms of social distancing, we really have to consider when you have so many intrafamilial spread at this stage in time, even when you’re at home, be aware especially if your family members have symptoms. We would advise at least the family members who have symptoms must wear a mask, even when you’re at home. And of course, the environmental cleansing of the home environment is also very important. 

The second thing is, listening to what has just been reported is that even at church gatherings, even at eating premises like those hotpot shops and perhaps, later at workplaces and hotels and even some hospitals may have problems. Even if you work in a hospital where you have a lot of personal protective equipment, our healthcare workers have to be highly vigilant of such possibilities. And of course, the most recent happening at the Hong Mei House, Cheung Hong Estate tells us that we must attend to our sewer system and that is very important because usually if you have infection acquired through the airborne route through the sewer system, the clinical manifestation can be very severe because the virus will go to the deepest part of the lungs and start a major infection and inflammation there, which can be very life-threatening.

(To watch the video with sign language interpretation, click here.)

Hand hygiene, wearing masks and social distancing are some of the most important practices used to counter the spread of novel coronavirus.

Hong Kong University Chair of Infectious Diseases Prof Yuen Kwok-yung made the statement during a press conference this afternoon, where he discussed ways to prevent a community outbreak.

Prof Yuen said: “The time-honoured measures that we mentioned about hand hygiene, masking and social distancing would always stand as the most important.”

He pointed out that many infection cases are caused by the spread of the virus within families.

“Even when you’re at home, be aware especially if your family members have symptoms.

“We would advise at least the family members who have symptoms must wear a mask, even when you’re at home. And of course, the environmental cleansing of the home environment is also very important.”

As the virus can be spread in areas such as restaurants, workplaces, hotels and hospitals, Prof Yuen emphasised that people should remain highly vigilant of their personal hygiene.

He also said it is important to pay attention to sewer systems in buildings.

“Usually if you have infection acquired through the airborne route through the sewer system, the clinical manifestation can be very severe because the virus will go to the deepest part of the lungs and start a major infection and inflammation there, which can be very life-threatening.”