Experts: More port quarantine policies needed for arrivals

Hong Kong's medical experts on Thursday said that to stop the further spread of the novel coronavirus, the government should tighten up port quarantine measures for overseas arrivals - especially those from Europe.

 

As of Thursday, 21 of the city's new novel coronavirus infections in the past week, or nearly 70 percent, were linked to overseas travel.

 

The city recorded two new cases on Thursday, both related to overseas travel. One involves a 37-year-old man, diagnosed a day after his wife was confirmed to be infected. The couple had returned from the United Kingdom on Flight CX250 on Feb 29 with their toddler, who also had a runny nose and was hospitalized.

 

The other case is a 31-year-old male with an underlying illness. He had been to Boston from Feb 22 to March 1, and then traveled to Manila, Philippines via Tokyo, and returned to Hong Kong on Flight CX930 on Sunday.

 

Considering the rapidly worsening situation in Europe, and the close economic and transport connections among European countries, Leung Chi-chiu, chairman of the Hong Kong Medical Association Advisory Committee on Communicable Diseases, said a new strategy was needed.

 

Leung noted that some countries were "losing control" of the situation without any effective prevention measures.

 

In the coming two weeks, the number of patients in Europe is likely to experience another sharp increase as the incubation period for the disease takes up to 14 days, added Leung, a doctor specializing in the respiratory system.

 

He suggested the government consider expanding mandatory quarantine arrangements to people from more countries as early as possible. This would reduce imported cases and allow passengers and travel agencies to plan ahead, he explained.

 

Meanwhile, Lam Ching-choi, Executive Council member of the government and a specialist in pediatric and community medicine, said COVID-19 tests might not be adequately performed to detect infected people in some developing countries. These places might also not be adopting containment strategies as advised by the World Health Organization, he added.

 

He said the government might restrict traveling to and from these areas even though the number of confirmed cases is not high.

 

Under Secretary for Food and Health Chui Tak-yi told a press briefing the government has been closely watching the situation and listening to experts. It will, therefore, step up precautionary measures at the airport and other ports if needed.

 

The assessment will take into account factors such as the number, distribution and rate of increase of patients overseas, measures for controlling the outbreak, and the frequency of visits by Hong Kong residents.

 

Apart from the number of patients reported from certain countries, the government will also refer to the number of imported cases from certain countries, such as India and Egypt, Chui said.

 

Eight more coronavirus patients have been discharged from hospitals, taking the number of recoveries to 74.

 

Separately, the government is tracking down the close contacts of a passenger who transited through Hong Kong after arriving from Seattle on Flight CX857 on Monday. He was confirmed to be infected after landing in Beijing on Flight KA900 the same day.

Gu Mengyan contributed to this story.

 

Source:Chinadaily

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