Severe COVID-19 Case in Child Sparks Urgent Vaccination and Hygiene Reminders from Health Authorities

CHP investigates severe paediatric case of COVID-19 co-infected with human metapneumovirus

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (April 23) received a report of a case of severe paediatric COVID-19 and human metapneumovirus (hMPV) infection and reminded the public to observe personal, hand and environmental hygiene at all times. High-risk individuals should receive a COVID-19 vaccination as soon as possible and receive booster doses at appropriate times to minimise the risk of serious complications and death after infection.

The case involves an eight-month-old girl with good past health, who developed a fever and runny nose since April 19 and sought medical attention from a private doctor the next day. She developed cough and shortness of breath on April 21 and sought medical attention from another private doctor. She attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Hong Kong Adventist Hospital – Tsuen Wan on April 22 and was transferred to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit of Princess Margaret Hospital for treatment on the same day. Her respiratory specimen tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 virus and hMPV upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis was COVID-19 co-infectedwith hMPV complicated with croup. She is still hospitalised and is in critical condition.

A preliminary investigation revealed that the patient had not received COVID-19 vaccine and had no travel history during the incubation period. Two of her household contacts had presented with respiratory symptoms and had recovered.

"There has been a recent increase in the activity of COVID-19 in the local community. In the past few weeks, the load of SARS-CoV-2 virus from sewage surveillance, the laboratory test positivity rate and the consultation rate of COVID-19 cases in general out-patient clinics have continued to rise. As of April 12, the viral load per capita of SARS-CoV-2 virus was around 390 000 copy/litre, which was significantly higher than the week ending March 15 previously, when it was 85 000 copy/litre," said the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui.

"Genetic analysis has shown that the predominant circulating strains in Hong Kong are still JN.1 and its related variants, and the vaccines currently used in Hong Kong can effectively prevent the related variants. Scientific data shows that timely booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine for high-risk persons help lower the risk of severe illness and death. Members of the public who have not received the initial dose of the COVID-19 vaccine (including infants and children) should get vaccinated as soon as possible. Those at high risk (particularly the elderly and persons with underlying comorbidities) should receive a booster dose as soon as possible for effective prevention against COVID-19," Dr Tsui added.

Persons with hMPV infection can present with symptoms such as fever, cough, difficulty in breathing or shortness of breath etc. hMPV infection may progress to bronchiolitis or pneumonia. hMPV infection can occur all year round and is more common in late spring and summer locally in general.

Apart from vaccination, in order to prevent COVID-19, influenza, hMPV infection, and other respiratory illnesses as well as transmission in the community, the public should maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene at all times and note the following:

Patients can wear surgical masks to prevent transmission of respiratory viruses. Therefore, it is essential for persons who are symptomatic (even if having mild symptoms) to wear a surgical mask;

High-risk persons (e.g. persons with underlying medical conditions or persons who are immunocompromised) should wear surgical masks when visiting public places. The general public should also wear a surgical mask when taking public transport or staying in crowded places. It is important to wear a mask properly, including performing hand hygiene before wearing and after removing a mask;

Avoid touching one's eyes, mouth and nose;

Practise hand hygiene frequently, wash hands with liquid soap and water properly whenever possibly contaminated;

When hands are not visibly soiled, clean them with 70 to 80 per cent alcohol-based handrub;

Cover the mouth and nose with tissue paper when sneezing or coughing. Dispose of soiled tissue paper properly into a lidded rubbish bin, and wash hands thoroughly afterwards;

Maintain good indoor ventilation;

Avoid sharing personal items;

When having respiratory symptoms, wear a surgical mask, consider to refrain from going to work or school, avoid going to crowded places and seek medical advice promptly; and

Maintain a balanced diet, perform physical activity regularly, take adequate rest, do not smoke and avoid overstress.

For more information on the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme and the latest recommendations on vaccine use, please refer to the CHP's website.

Remarks by SJ after meeting of Subcommittee on Two Items of Subsidiary Legislation Made under the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance

The Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, and the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, met themedia after attending a meeting of the Subcommittee on Two Items of Subsidiary Legislation Made under the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance this afternoon (May 15). Following are the remarks by Mr Lam:

Reporter: The vetting for the subcommittee takes (took) about five hours with no amendments proposed. Do you think the time frame is sufficient for lawmakers to thoroughly scrutinise all of the law changes? Why does the process need to be so quick?

Secretary for Justice: I think you have to bear in mind that we are talking about two items of subsidiary legislation. In relation to the subsidiary legislation concerning the power of the Office for Safeguarding National Security, there are only 15 provisions. As to the declaration concerning prohibited places, it only refers to six premises. But as a matter of fact, as you have pointed out, we have spent more than five hours, and the number of questions plus opinions expressed by members of the Legislative Council exceeded 150. So I think any reasonable person would have agreed that the whole process is extremely serious and thorough discussion had been given to all relevant provisions.

As a matter of fact, initially, we were supposed to finish the meeting at 4pm, but in order to enable the Legislative Councillors to have sufficient time to go through all the provisions and to ensure that they can ask any questions that they have in mind, the time for the meeting had actually been extended. I am very confident that any reasonable person would have agreed that this is a very proper and thorough process which serves its legislative intention.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the remarks)