Publications and Press Releases

27 December 2020

Immigration Department (ImmD) spokesman today (December 27) revealed that the department was notified by the Centre for Protection (CHP) last night, a Vietnamese illegal immigrant detained at the Castle Peak Bay Immigration Centre (CIC) was tested positive for COVID-19.

In view of the latest development of the COVID-19 epidemic, all persons newly admitted to the CIC will undergo deep throat saliva testing.

Three Vietnamese illegal immigrants were sent to the CIC on December 25 for detention pending removal. They were put under isolation and were required to undergo deep throat saliva testing. The three persons concerned had not been in contact with any other detainees in the CIC or any members of the public while waiting for the test result and relevant Immigration staff members had donned appropriate personal protective equipment. Among them, one was confirmed tested positive for COVID-19 on the evening of December 26 and was admitted to hospital for treatments immediately. The other two detainees being isolated in the same confinement who had close contact with the Vietnamese concerned were confirmed tested negative for COVID-19 and were also arranged to stay in quarantine centres for quarantine and medical surveillance.

The ImmD will proactively co-operate with the CHP's measures and instructions of disease prevention and control including arranging COVID-19 testings for all detainees and Immigration staff members at the CIC. The CIC has also immediately suspended all visits until further notice. The ImmD had carried out thorough cleaning and disinfection works for the detention facilities concerned.