Coronavirus cluster at Hong Kong public hospital triggers mandatory screening, while city records 70 new cases and another death
- All people who have entered either of two wards hit by ‘super spreading’ event since December 15 must be screened by Wednesday, authorities say
- City also records fewest arrivals at airport so far this year, with just 194 travellers entering on Saturday, down from the previous low of 228 in April
About 60 to 70 medical staff at United Christian Hospital in Kwun Tong deemed close contacts of the patient must be quarantined, while all 6,000 to 7,000 employees are encouraged to undergo screening at a mobile testing centre, which will remain on site until Thursday.
The seven infections were among 70 new cases confirmed on Sunday, of which 25 were untraceable and one imported, an arrival from Britain. About 50 people also tested preliminary-positive. The city’s Covid-19 tally stands at 8,610, while a 92-year-old succumbed to the disease, taking the number of related deaths to 137.
Authorities on Saturday revealed that an 84-year-old woman admitted to the hospital’s palliative care ward who initially tested negative for the virus was later found to have contracted it. A leading health expert who visited the facility noted patients were being moved across wards and one worker had not worn eye gear when cleaning the woman’s mouth.
All patients and staff members who had entered either the 2D ward or the intensive care unit since December 15 must undergo testing by Wednesday, health officials announced on Sunday, although it remained unclear how many people would be involved. But failure to comply can result in a HK$25,000 fine and six months’ jail.