(To watch the full press briefing with sign language interpretation, click here.)

The Centre for Health Protection today said it is investigating seven additional COVID-19 cases, one of which is tentatively classified as a locally transmitted case with an unknown source of infection.

All the new cases are with the L452R mutant strain.

The local case involves a 27-year-old male airline ground crew staff member at Hong Kong International Airport, where he had received cargo flight crews.

He lives with his family at Wan Hang House, Wan Tau Tong Estate in Tai Po.

At a press briefing this afternoon, the centre's Communicable Disease Branch Head Dr Chuang Shuk-kwan explained why they did not rule out the possibility that this case was linked to overseas or imported cases. 

“This (COVID-19) patient mainly works at the airport. He also has another (job) at the Uptown Plaza as a customer service assistant. He stayed at home and had interaction with his family and some relatives.

“As we (have not had) any variant (cases involving the L452R mutant strain) in the community so far, we suspect that he had some connection with overseas cases or imported cases.

“So we think that the place where he got the infection is more (than) likely the airport where he worked (at). As for the exact source of infection, it is still under investigation.

“Hopefully, (this) would not start another outbreak. That is why we are putting all his close contacts under quarantine.”

So far, more than 180 people had been put into quarantine, Dr Chuang added.

A total of 26 cases were reported in Hong Kong in the past 14 days, all of which are imported.

Meanwhile, the Government announced that three schools where upper respiratory tract infection and influenza-like illness have occurred are covered in the compulsory testing notice and that the community testing centre at Henry G Leong Yaumatei Community Centre will reopen tomorrow.

For information and health advice on COVID-19, visit the Government’s dedicated webpage.