Coronavirus: Hong Kong records 13 imported infections, but 15-day streak without local transmission remains intact

All of the latest cases involve residents flying back from Pakistan, where the pandemic remains severe, according to health authorities

The jump is the largest in nearly six weeks and comes as city further eases social-distancing restrictions, with karaoke bars among venues allowed to reopen

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Hong Kong has recorded its highest daily total of new coronavirus infections since April 13, but the run of no local cases continues. Photo: Sam Tsang

Published: 3:16pm, 29 May 2020Updated: 12:10am, 30 May 2020

Hong Kong health authorities confirmed 13 new imported coronavirus infections on Friday, the highest daily jump in nearly six weeks, although no local transmissions were recorded for the 15th day in a row.

Residents stuck overseas have been steadily flying back to the city over the past few months, including 1,100 from Pakistan.

So far 33 of them, or 3 per cent, have tested positive for Covid-19, which the Centre for Health Protection called a “relatively high” rate compared with returnees from other countries.

The new cases take Hong Kong’s total to 1,079, with four related deaths, and come as the government further eased social-distancing rules.

The latest infections involved residents aged between two and 46 who flew on Qatar Airways Flight 818 that left Pakistan to transit through Doha before arriving in Hong Kong on Thursday. Most did not show symptoms.