Coronavirus: at least 10 households evacuated from Hong Kong public housing block in Tai Po over multiple infections
- People from flats numbered 13 and 14 across six floors at Tai House at Fu Heng Estate asked to vacate and undergo quarantine
- Four new infections bring local tally to 141
Residents from at least 10 households across six floors at a Hong Kong public housing estate were evacuated on Saturday night after a newly confirmed Covid-19 patient was found to be from the same block as two earlier cases.
The patient was among four latest infections announced by the evening, bringing the city’s tally to 141.
Speaking after a site inspection, Dr Wong Ka-hing, controller of the Centre for Health Protection under the Department of Health, said the case in question, a 59-year-old man, lived in flat 13 on the 34th floor of Heng Tai House at Fu Heng Estate in Tai Po.
He is from the same block as a couple who joined a tour group to Egypt between February 27 and March 7, and who were reported as confirmed cases. The pair lived in flat 13 on the 32nd floor.
As a precaution, all residents in flats numbered 13 and 14 from levels 29 to 34 of the block were asked to vacate their homes and were transported to quarantine sites.
“For residents living on the 28th floor or below, we will further examine pipes in their flat. They do not have to be quarantined for now,” Wong said. “Those who feel sick should immediately seek medical attention. We will take samples from them to examine for the coronavirus.”
Infectious disease expert Professor Yuen Kwok-yung said the incident at the estate was not similar to that of Hong Mei House at Cheung Hong Estate in Tsing Yi last month, where residents were also evacuated after multiple cases were detected.