Coronavirus: imported cases in Hong Kong mostly detected within first 14 days of quarantine, but 21-day rule ‘still needed to guard against outbreak’
- Experts insist the 21-day rule for high-risk travellers is still needed to guard against community outbreaks, amid city’s zero-Covid policy
- Analysis of cases in recent months also reveals vaccinated patients less likely to develop symptoms or require antiviral drugs
Analysis of the city’s imported coronavirus cases in recent months also showed that vaccinated patients were less likely to develop symptoms or lung conditions, or require antiviral drugs, underscoring the importance of being inoculated.
Hong Kong’s 21-day quarantine, required for travellers from high-risk countries such as Britain, India and the United States, as well as for unvaccinated arrivals from medium-risk places, is among the world’s toughest.
In a press briefing on Tuesday, controller of the Centre for Health Protection Dr Edwin Tsui Lok-kin said more than 96 per of the city’s imported cases were picked up by the seventh day of quarantine, and 99 per cent were detected by the 14th day.
The remaining 1 per cent of cases were detected before the 21st day.