Sars experience has taught city to take nothing for granted
- Evacuation of Tsing Yi public housing block after coronavirus infections raised fears of another Amoy Gardens, but authorities are right to err on the side of caution
Panic is to be expected following an emergency evacuation of a public housing block to pre-empt a possible outbreak of the new coronavirus among Hong Kong households. Officials were quick to dispel fears that the deadly virus was spreading in the building because of a faulty sewage system, the same reason that contributed to a major community outbreak of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars) in 2002-03. It was imperative that the government found the cause of the infection to prevent a recurrence.
The community had been on alert since a second infection was found 10 floors below another confirmed case in the same block in Cheung Hong Estate, Tsing Yi. An initial examination showed the sewage system was structurally safe, but the toilet of one patient had been altered with a ventilation device connected to the sewage pipe improperly sealed. Officials believe the infection was caused by the faulty alteration rather than flaws in the sewage system. “The situation is fully under control,” a government expert said.
That the government has sought to calm fears of another Sars-like outbreak is understandable. Although residents from the estate who showed symptoms earlier all tested negative, the potential threat to households must not be dismissed lightly. The appeal for all households to check whether their alterations are structurally safe should be heeded.
Many citizens are still haunted by what happened at Amoy Gardens – ground zero of the Sars epidemic. The private housing estate in Kowloon Bay reported more than 100 cases, mostly households sharing the same sewage system in block E. The outbreak prompted authorities to examine whether there were any systemic problems with the building, and officers in full protective gear sealed off the block for days in order to carry out investigations and find out the cause.
Given confidence in the government remains weak, the public may be excused for still feeling anxious even when officials report that the situation at Tsing Yi is nothing like the episode at Amoy Gardens. The city has tens of thousands of high-rises and, while the worries may be eased through scientific evidence and transparency, concerted efforts are needed to contain the virus.
Another seven new cases were reported yesterday, raising the infection toll to 49. If there is any comfort to be had, it is the fact that we are still nowhere close to the crisis 17 years ago when there were outbreaks in housing blocks, public hospitals and hotels. The city paid a dear price for the Sars outbreak, but experience has put us on a stronger footing to react this time. With the situation still developing, erring on the side of caution is always wise.
