The Hospital Authority today reported that a clerical staff at Shatin Hospital has preliminarily tested positive for COVID-19.

The staff concerned, from the authority’s Cluster Facility Management Department of the New Territories East Cluster, developed fever and diarrhoea on January 22 and attended the Tuen Mun Hospital’s staff clinic the next day.

He was subsequently transferred to the accident and emergency department and arranged to undergo a deep throat saliva test. His preliminarily positive result was made available last night.

The staff concerned is mainly responsible for clerical duties relating to medical equipment maintenance services and has no contact with patients.

He last attended work on January 21 and wore surgical masks while on duty.

Four colleagues were identified as close contacts and will be quarantined.

The clerical staff concerned attended a meeting at the Prince of Wales Hospital on January 20 and all meeting participants wore surgical masks.

As a precautionary measure, the cluster has arranged COVID-19 tests for the other 10 participants of the meeting as well as staff of the department concerned.

Thorough cleansing and disinfection have been carried out at the office concerned.