Coronavirus: Hong Kong’s run without local infection extends to 16 days, but 4 new imported cases confirmed
- Another batch of imported Covid-19 cases on Monday takes Hong Kong’s infected total to 1,203, with seven related deaths
- Transit flight passengers also an issue as it emerges a traveller has been stranded in Hong Kong airport for months
As the city handles a mounting number of cases originating from overseas, its Covid-19 tally has increased to 1,203, with seven related deaths.
About 70 cases involving residents returning from abroad, mostly from Pakistan, have been recorded over the past week as part of a recent surge in imported infections. Three of the latest cases had been to the Philippines and one arrived from Britain.
Transit passengers stranded at the airport have also emerged as a public health concern.
The city’s flag carrier Cathay Pacific Airways confirmed on Sunday that one of its passengers had been staying in Hong Kong International Airport since March, arriving from Canada and hoping to catch a transit flight to Vietnam.
The airline said the passenger’s connection was cancelled because Vietnam was closed to international flights. Restrictions on transit flights at Hong Kong airport were not in effect at the time.
“Despite our discussions with the passenger, he has insisted on waiting for the next available flight to Vietnam and is reluctant to leave the airport,” the airline said, adding that no other Cathay passengers were currently staying in the restricted area in the airport.