The Novel Coronavirus Response and Coordination Centre (hereinafter referred to as “the Centre”) announces that, the 77th case reported in the early hours of today (9 October) is a stay-in domestic helper who lives and works in a household at The Bayview (Tower 3). As a close contact of the 75th case, the domestic helper has been isolated for medical observation at the Public Health Clinical Centre in Ka Ho, Coloane since the morning of 5 October.
The patient of the 77th case had tested negative on 4, 5, 6 and 7 October before a positive test was confirmed on 8 October. The risk of the patient spreading the disease in the neighbourhood before being isolated is very low. Hence, there is no need to classify The Bayview (Tower 3) as Red or Yellow Code Zone.
As a precautionary measure, all residents in The Bayview (Tower 3) are forbidden to leave the building until they are tested negative for the novel coronavirus. The NAT testing work for these individuals began at 8am this morning (9 October).
According to the Centre, Red and Yellow Code Zones are defined based on the level of risks that a confirmed patient might pose before being isolated. While Cases 68-71 were also confirmed during the isolation period, the risk of them spreading the disease before isolation could not be accurately determined considering that they had only presented 1-2 negative results before tested positive following their commencement of medical observation. This explains why the living areas of Cases 68-71 were listed as Yellow Code Zones.