Financial Secretary Paul Chan tested positive for Covid-19 when he returned from Saudi Arabia for a high-level conference intended to stress Hong Kong’s recovery from the pandemic, but was not required to quarantine, the government said late Wednesday.
Chan, who had tested positive in Saudi Arabia, arrived in Hong Kong on Tuesday evening and was declared “a recovered case” by local health authorities, who did not disclose his positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test on arrival. He was deemed to be not contagious and was not ordered to isolate.
The minister attended a major banking summit and gave a speech with his mask off on Wednesday.
Chan replaced his mask when he was back in the audience, but most of the guests did not wear one. Food and drink was served at the event.
The minister gave another speech on the second day of the summit on Thursday morning.
Meeting the press after the morning session of the summit, Chan said he was not given any special treatment regarding Covid testing and quarantine policy, adding that he had declared his infection on an electronic form prior to boarding a plane back to Hong Kong: “The health authorities look at my PCR test result, take into consideration the details of my health declaration, also take into consideration the fact that I did not have any symptoms on arrival, [and then] they finally decide this is a case of recovery – similar to other 400 cases that they have handled before. So the treatment I have been given was the same as anyone. there is no particular privilege at all.”
It is unclear if Chan took a commercial flight or a private jet to Hong Kong – HKFP has reached out to his office for comment.
Late night response
Responding to media inquiries about Chan’s PCR test result, the government issued a press statement at 11:29 p.m. on Wednesday. However, an actual cycle threshold (CT) value was still missing. A high CT value means a low viral load, meaning a person is less infectious.
“[T]he result was positive with CT value within the range of the above-mentioned recovered cases. The [Centre for Health Protection] evaluated his health declaration record and PCR test result in accordance with established procedures and examined his clinical situation, including he was asymptomatic and had obtained a negative result of RAT prior to boarding,” the statement said.
“The CHP determined that it was a recovered case, isolation and Red code were not issued.”
When attending the Global Financial Leaders’ Investment Summit, Chan would not take part in meals as a “prudent” measure, the statement said.
The government said that from late September to November 1, there were 455 inbound travellers who had been infected within three months prior to their arrival and tested PCR positive. They were also regarded as recovered and were not given isolation orders or a Red Code under the Vaccine Pass scheme.
Hong Kong has reported 1.9 million Covid-19 cases and 10,410 related deaths since the pandemic began.
Support HKFP | Policies & Ethics | Error/typo? | Contact Us | Newsletter | Transparency & Annual Report | Apps
Help safeguard press freedom & keep HKFP free for all readers by supporting our team
LATEST ON COVID-19 IN HONG KONG
HKFP GUIDES
