Home quarantine brings higher risk, officials concede

The Controller of the Centre for Health Protection, Edwin Tsui, on Monday appealed to people to support those put under home quarantine after coming into contact with Covid patients, despite acknowledging there could be an increased risk of infection associated with the new arrangement.

As infections in the city continue to surge, the government has decided to reserve rooms at the Penny’s Bay Quarantine Centre for patients confirmed to have the virus.

Close contacts of Covid patients whose flats are deemed suitable for isolation can instead undergo quarantine at home.

Tsui appealed to online shopping firms to deliver necessities to those put under home quarantine, adding that he hopes people’s relatives and friends will also offer support.

He also reminded property management companies to maintain good environmental hygiene in their buildings.

“Compared to sending close contacts to quarantine facilities, the risks will slightly increase. However, during this critical period, we have no other ways out because we have to reserve more spaces for patients. We have to strike a balance,” he said.

Tsui said people put under home quarantine will be asked to wear an electronic wristband.

They will also be given a thermometer and some rapid self-test kits for Covid-19.

He said these people should notify the authorities quickly if they develop symptoms or test positive for the virus.