Advertisement
Hong Kong fourth wave: household members of coronavirus patients’ close contacts to be tested under new proposal, as another 25 cases recorded
- City reports 25 new infections on Wednesday, the lowest caseload since November 19
- Hundreds of officers from the disciplined services will be seconded to trace two tiers of contacts, the Post has learned
Reading Time:3 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
40
Household members of Covid-19 patients’ close contacts will be asked to undergo coronavirus tests under a proposal to enhance Hong Kong’s tracing strategy, health officials said, as 25 new infections were recorded on Wednesday, the lowest since mid November.
Advertisement
The new proposal was floated as senior officials convened a cross-departmental meeting on Wednesday to set up a new “command centre” to ramp up contact tracing.
Hundreds of officers from the disciplined services will be seconded to trace two tiers of people – close contacts of patients as well as the close contacts of close contacts, the Post has learned.
Family members of people sent to quarantine camps could be at higher risk as they had lived together, said Dr Chuang Shuk-kwan, head of the communicable disease branch of the Centre for Health Protection. “It is advisable for them to get tested,” she said.
Advertisement
Currently, household members of those under quarantine can come forward for testing if they are concerned but it is not required by the health authorities.
Advertisement