Coronavirus: Hong Kong authorities going all out to trace source of teen’s infection as experts suggest 140 close contacts need antibody testing

Authorities and scientists attempting to pinpoint source of transmission not ruling out any possibilities, including animals such as rats and even frozen food

Infectious diseases expert stresses need to solve mystery and close any loophole that allowed variant into community

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People queue for Covid-19 test at Edinburgh Place, in Central. Photo: K.Y. Cheng

Published: 4:35pm, 14 Jun 2021Updated: 10:16am, 15 Jun 2021

Health authorities are going all out to trace the source of a 17-year-old girl’s coronavirus variant infection which broke Hong Kong’s 42-day streak of zero untraceable cases, with a top government pandemic adviser suggesting more than 100 of her close contacts should undergo antibody testing.

The University of Hong Kong’s Professor Yuen Kwok-yung on Monday said authorities and scientists attempting to pinpoint the source of transmission were not ruling out any possibilities, including animals such as rats and even frozen food.

The infectious diseases expert stressed the need to solve the mystery and close any loophole that allowed the variant into the community, as children aged 12-15 years, accompanied by their parents, began to get their Covid-19 shots for the first time at vaccination centres across the city.

“At this stage, we must admit we are still unsure of the source of her infection. We are now following up on the case in three directions,” Yuen said.

He suggested health authorities start collecting blood samples from 140 close contacts to test for virus antibodies before they completed their 21-day quarantine.