Press Release - April 24, 2003
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government announced today (April 24) that from April 25, household contacts of suspected SARS patients in Hong Kong have to undergo home confinement for up to 10 days.

In Hong Kong, home confinement for household contacts of confirmed SARS patients began on April 10. The HKSAR Government now extends the confinement to household contacts of suspected SARS patients.

"From clinical experience, some suspected patients will actually turn out to be confirmed cases. We believe that it would help to contain the spread of the disease if household contacts of suspected patients can undergo confinement at an early stage," said a Government spokesman.
The HKSAR Government appeals to affected families for co-operation. "We understand that this requirement may bring inconvenience to some families. However, it is necessary to broaden the coverage of home confinement to reduce the risk of the disease spreading to a minimum. We appeal to the community's understanding and forebearance."

Ongoing hospital data indicate that of all patients admitted for observation, about 10-20% have clinical features suggestive of the condition. Putting their household members under home confinement from this early stage (even before a firm diagnosis of SARS is made) would further help to contain the infection by interrupting person-to-person transmission.

Compliance with the home confinement requirement has been satisfactory. The HKSAR Government believes that the public is aware of the need to reduce mingling with other people once a person is found to have been in close contact with SARS patients. Some families initiate home isolation by themselves once a family member is hospitalized for suspicions of SARS infection. The HKSAR Government therefore hopes that the expansion of the coverage of home confinement will have the public's support.

The families of suspected SARS patients will be subject to home confinement for a maximum period of 10 days. During the confinement, health teams from the HKSAR Department of Health will visit them to conduct medical checks. There will also be compliance checks by the HKSAR Police. If they need assistance to meet their daily needs, the HKSAR Social Welfare Department and the HKSAR Home Affairs Department will help.

The HKSAR Government will also place on the HKSAR Department of Health's website the names of buildings where the suspected patients reside. Efforts will be made by HKSAR Government departments concerned to ensure housing managements will step up cleansing and disinfection for the building block in question.
For updated information and latest news on respiratory tract infections, please visit the special home page on the subject at www.info.gov.hk/info/infection-e.htm, and the HKSAR Department of Health website at www.info.gov.hk/dh/ap.htm as well as the e-bulletin at www.news.gov.hk/en/index.shtml.