Severe Paediatric Case of COVID-19 Infection Prompts CHP to Conduct Investigation and Urge Hygiene Measures

CHP investigates severe paediatric case of COVID-19 infection

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (June 10) is investigating a severe paediatric case of COVID-19 infection, and appealed the public to observe good personal and environmental hygiene at all times to prevent influenza and other respiratory illnesses. The CHP reminds high-risk individuals to receive initial doses or booster doses of COVID-19 vaccination at appropriate times to minimise the risk of severe disease and death.

Case details

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The case involves a 19-month-old boy with good past health. He developed a fever, runny nose, cough, shortness of breath and stridor on June 4. He was taken to a private clinic for medical attention on the next day (June 5) and was referred to the Accident and Emergency Department of Kwong Wah Hospital, where he was admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit for treatment. His respiratory specimen tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus upon laboratory testing. The clinical diagnosis was COVID-19 complicated with croup. He remains hospitalised and is currently in critical condition.

The CHP's preliminary investigation revealed that the boy had not received COVID-19 vaccine and had mostly stayed in Hong Kong throughout the incubation period. His three household contacts remain asymptomatic so far.

Government's COVID-19 Vaccination Programme

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"Scientific evidence shows that COVID-19 vaccines are effective in reducing the risk of severe disease and death. Although COVID-19 has become a common respiratory infection in Hong Kong and around the world, certain high-risk individuals, especially young children, who have not received their initial dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and have not developed immunity through natural infection, face a higher risk of serious complications if they become infected. I would like to specifically remind the public that individuals who have not yet received their initial dose of the COVID-19 vaccine (including children aged six months or above) should get vaccinated as soon as possible, while high-risk individuals (particularly the elderly and those with underlying comorbidities) should also receive booster dose at appropriate times for effective protection against COVID-19." said the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui.

"According to the latest surveillance data, while the overall local activity of COVID-19 still remains at a relatively low level, slight increases have been recorded continually since early May. The COVID-19 activity levels fluctuate, with an upsurge period generally occurred approximately every six to nine months in recent years. Each upsurge is associated with changes in predominant circulating variants and a decline in community herd immunity. It has been nearly a year since the end of the last periodic upsurge of COVID-19 activity in Hong Kong, and it cannot be ruled out that the overall COVID-19 activity will rise further in the coming one to two months," he added.

The shelf life of the vaccines provided under the Government's COVID-19 Vaccination Programme (the Programme) is going to expire. A new batch of vaccines will arrive in Hong Kong successively in the fourth quarter of 2026. During this transition period, eligible individuals will not be able to receive free COVID-19 vaccines through the Programme for a short period. As such, those in need are advised to make appointments as early as possible. Existing vaccination services will continue until the following dates:

• Individuals aged 6 months to 11 years: Vaccination services will be available until July 10, 2026.

• Individuals aged 12 or above: Vaccination services will be available until September 5, 2026.

Apart from vaccination, in order to prevent COVID-19, influenza, 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 with 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.

The Centre for Health Protection, Photo source: reference image

FEHD steps up inspections and enforcement to combat non-permitted food premises allowing dogs to enter

Since the implementation of the measure allowing dogs to enter permitted food premises, the dedicated team from the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) has been proactively conducting inspections over the past few days, and has launched a one-week targeted enforcement operation since July 14 to combat non-permitted food premises in breach of the regulation for allowing dogs to enter. A spokesman for the FEHD said today (July 17) that the department has initiated the first prosecution against a non-permitted restaurant in Tsuen Wan District.

During an inspection of a non-permitted restaurant in Tsuen Wan yesterday (July 16), the dedicated team found that dogs were allowed on the premises and immediately initiated a prosecution against the licensee of the non-complying restaurant.

The spokesman said, "The FEHD will continue to step up inspections and enforcement over the next few days. If dogs are found to be allowed into non-permitted food premises, dedicated officers will initiate prosecution immediately. As of July 16, dedicated officers have conducted over 780 inspections of non-permitted food premises in various districts and issued ten verbal warnings in total."

According to the Food Business Regulation (Cap. 132X), no person shall bring any dog into food premises unless permitted by the Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene, and no person engaged in the food business shall knowingly suffer or permit the presence of any dog on his/her food premises. Offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $10,000, three months' imprisonment, and an additional daily fine of $300.

The spokesman reminded that both food premises operators and dog owners have the responsibility to comply with the relevant regulations. Non-permitted food premises should abide by the law and must not allow customers to bring dogs into their premises. Members of the public who bring dogs into non-permitted food premises also commit an offence and will face the same legal penalty. The department will continue to carry out targeted enforcement actions.

Moreover, to assist operators in adapting to the new measure and complying with the relevant requirements, the FEHD has been conducting continuous inspections to permitted food premises and stepping up publicity efforts, while taking enforcement actions against relevant irregularities. As of July 16, dedicated officers have conducted about 7 500 inspections of permitted food premises across various districts, and issued warning letters to the licensees of two permitted food premises for persistent non-compliance – namely a permitted Chinese restaurant in Kowloon City District as previously announced, and another permitted Thai restaurant in Tsuen Wan District – requiring immediate rectification of the non-compliance of cooking or heating food on dining tables.

The spokesman emphasised that permitted food premises are subject to a set of rigorous regulations, the purpose of which is to ensure the safety of persons and dogs within the food premises as well as to maintain environmental hygiene. Non-permitted food premises lacking such regulatory oversight cannot provide the necessary safeguards. In the interests of customers and staff, strict enforcement action must be taken. In addition, customers' right to choose should also be respected. Food premises allowing dogs to enter without permission not only commit an offence, but also deprive customers of their right to choose.

The spokesman added that, while the department regards the first month of implementation as an adaptation period for the measure, it does not mean a relaxation of regulatory oversight. Should serious cases of non-compliance or situations affecting environmental hygiene or food safety be detected, the FEHD will not hesitate to take decisive enforcement action to ensure public safety and fairness of the policy. The department appeals to the persons-in-charge and frontline staff of permitted food premises to earnestly fulfil the licensing conditions and legal requirements, and to supervise and remind customers with dogs, so as to safeguard diners' safety and public hygiene.

Source: AI-found images