Hong Kong's COVID-19 activity shows signs of decline from its peak but is expected to remain high in near term
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (May 29) said that there are signs that the level of COVID-19 activity in Hong Kong has started to decline from its peak. However, it is expected to remain at a relatively high level in the near future. High-risk individuals, especially the elderly and those with underlying illnesses, should not take this lightly and should receive a free booster dose in a timely manner to minimise the risk of serious complications or death after infection.
According to the latest surveillance data (as of the week ending May 24), both the viral load of the SARS-CoV-2 virus from sewage surveillance and the test positivity rate of respiratory samples have begun to decline in the past week. Among them, the percentage of respiratory samples testing positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus decreased from 13.80 per cent in the previous week (May 11 to 17) to 11.12 per cent. For sewage surveillance, the per capita viral load of SARS-CoV-2 virus decreased from around 770 000 copy/litre to 500 000 copy/litre during the same period. Besides, the consultation rate of COVID-19 cases at general out-patient clinics and sentinel private medical practitioner clinics also dropped.
"COVID-19 has become an endemic disease with cyclical patterns. Epidemiological data from local and other regions around the world show that there are generally periodic upsurges in the COVID-19 activity level approximately every six to nine months. Hong Kong has experienced an upsurge in COVID-19 cases since April this year, more than half a year after the last increase in July and August of last year. The current active period is expected. Although the activity of COVID-19 has started to decline, with reference to previous data, we expect that it will remain at a relatively high level in the short term, and will take a month or two to gradually decline to a lower level," said the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui.
"Genetic analysis showed that XDV and its descendent lineages (mainly NB.1.8.1) have become the dominating variant strains in Hong Kong. The World Health Organization (WHO) recently assigned NB.1.8.1 as one of the "Variants under Monitoring". The WHO suggested that the global public health risk posed by NB.1.8.1 was low. There is currently no evidence that NB.1.8.1 will cause more severe diseases than previously dominating variant strains (such as JN.1 and XBB as well as their descendent lineages). As XDV (including NB.1.8.1) is a JN.1-related variant, the COVID-19 vaccines currently used in Hong Kong can effectively prevent infection and severe disease," Dr Tsui said.
The CHP has recorded six severe paediatric cases (no fatal cases) related to COVID-19 so far this year. Among which, two have underlying illnesses and four have not received the initial dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. These cases showed that even children who have been in good past health may experience severe complications from COVID-19 infection.
"Severe COVID-19 cases primarily affect the elderly and children, and those with underlying illnesses. Existing local and overseas scientific data has fully proved that the COVID-19 vaccine is effective in minimising the risk of severe disease or death after infection. Therefore, I remind members of the public who have not received the initial dose of the COVID-19 vaccine (including infants and children) to get vaccinated at appropriate times. Moreover, pregnant women getting the COVID-19 vaccine not only can reduce the risk of hospitalisation and death, the antibodies in their bodies can also be passed to the foetus and the breastfed babies through the umbilical cord or breast milk respectively, providing protection to infants aged below six months who cannot receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Those at high risk (particularly the elderly and persons with underlying illnesses), should receive a booster dose as soon as possible," Dr Tsui added.
Apart from vaccination, the public should maintain stringent personal, environmental and hand hygiene at all times to minimise the risk of contracting COVID-19 and other respiratory infectious diseases. When respiratory symptoms appear, one should wear a surgical mask, consider avoiding going to work or school, avoid going to crowded places and seek medical advice promptly.
For the latest surveillance data, members of the public can refer to the CHP's weeklyCOVID-19 & Flu Express. For more information on vaccination, please refer to theCOVID-19 Vaccination Programmewebpage.
CFS to follow up certain batches of powdered infant and young children formula with possible presence of Cereulide produced by Bacillus cereus
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (January 10) said that, it took initiative to meet with Nestlé Hong Kong again today, and confirmed the company's today announcement of an additional batch of powdered infant and young children formula suspected to have possibly used the raw material concerned. Nestlé Hong Kong has voluntarily stopped sales, removed from shelves the affected products and has initiated a precautionary recall. The CFS has collected samples of powdered infant and young children formula from the market for Bacillus cereus testing, the test results so far were satisfactory. The Environmental and Ecology Bureau is also closely monitoring the supply situation of other formula milk powder and maintaining communication with other major suppliers. It is noted that there is sufficient formula milk powder to meet the demand.
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD), Photo source: reference image
The spokesman said, the CFS has been actively following up on Nestlé company's voluntary and precautionary recalls of certain batches of its powdered infant and young children formula in certain areas in Europe due to possible presence of Cereulide produced by Bacillus cereus in the individual raw material. According to the latest information from Nestlé Hong Kong today, an additional batch of its powdered infant and young children formula imported into Hong Kong might have used the raw material concerned. The CFS had earlier enhanced surveillance in the market and collected a sample from the above batch for testing of Bacillus cereus. The test result of the sample was satisfactory. Nevertheless, as a precautionary measure, Nestlé Hong Kong has voluntarily stopped sales, removed from shelves the affected products and has initiated a precautionary recall.
Product details are as follows:
Product name (Net weight): NAN PRO 1 2 HMO (800g)
Batch number: 51670742F2
Best-before date: June 16, 2027
Place of Origin: Germany
"The CFS met Nestlé Hong Kong again today, urging them to properly handle the product recall issue and respond to public enquiries, in order to safeguard consumers' legitimate rights and interests. In addition, the CFS and Nestlé Hong Kong have jointly followed up, six suspected affected batches of infant and young children formula products that had not entered the market were marked and sealed. An additional 15 batches are currently en route to Hong Kong and will also be marked and sealed upon arrival. The CFS will continue to closely monitor the recall matters and remain fully committed to ensuring food safety, " the spokesman said.
Nestlé Hong Kong has initiated a recall of the affected batches of the products concerned. For enquiries about the recall, members of the public may contact the company through the following channels:
Consumer services hotline: 2599 8874 / 2797 6031/ 2179 8136 (Monday to Sunday, 9am to 9pm)
Email: consumerservices@hk.nestle.com
WhatsApp: 5283 4139 (NESTLÉ® NAN®) / 2599 8871 (Wyeth® Nutrition)
Online form: forms.office.com/e/BhqMhWfsUG?origin=lprLink
Consumers may choose to bring along the products (brand new or opened) for refund at place of purchase, or at exclusive service counters of Nestlé Nutrition Services from January 13 (Tuesday) onwards, to settle the recall and refund of the batches of the products concerned. Details of the exclusive service counters are as follows:
Kowloon Services Counter
Address: G/F, Park Hovan Commercial Building, 18 Hillwood Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon (MTR Jordon Station Exit D)
Contact number: 3996 8196
Office hour: Monday to Saturday, 11am to 7.30pm; Sunday, 1pm to 5.30pm (except public holidays)
Hong Kong Services Counter
Address: 1/F, Ka Nin Wah Commercial Building, 423-425 Hennessy Road, Hong Kong (MTR Causeway Bay Station Exit B)
Contact number: 3996 8197
Office hour: Monday to Saturday, 11am to 7.30pm (except Sundays and public holidays)
The CFS, through its Food Incident Surveillance System, noted earlier that certain batches of Nestlé powdered infant formula were being voluntarily recalled in Europe due to possible contamination with Bacillus cereus. Upon learning of the incident, the CFS has immediately initiated follow up actions, published food incident posts to inform the public and the trade about the issue, and has been actively following up on the incident and enhanced surveillance.
Over the past three days (as of 4pm on January 9), the FEHD received a total of 18 food complaints and enquiries suspected to be related to the infant and young children formula products, including one anonymous complaint without contact information. The CFS and the Environmental Hygiene Branch have promptly followed up on all cases, including contacting the parties concerned to obtain details and collecting samples for testing. In addition, the CFS has referred the cases to the health department for follow-up. At present, no food poisoning cases related to the formula have been recorded.
Bacillus cereus is commonly found in the environment. Unhygienic conditions in food processing and storage may give rise to its growth. Cereulide is a heat-stable toxin produced in food by some strains of Bacillus cereus. Consuming food contaminated with excessive Bacillus cereus or its heat-stable toxins may cause gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting and diarrhoea.
The spokesman urged members of the public not to let infants and young children consume the affected batches of the products, and to seek medical treatment for infants or young children who felt unwell after taking the products concerned. The trade should also stop using or selling the affected batches of the products immediately.
"The CFS continues to closely monitor the developments of the situation, follow up and take appropriate action," the spokesman said.
The infant formula of Nestlé, Photo source: online image
