Hong Kong health authorities admit hospital quarantine mix-up as 25 more Covid-19 cases confirmed

Domestic helper being treated for cancer kept in general wards even after her employer tested positive last month

Cluster emerges at care home for people with mental disabilities, forcing nearly 100 residents and staff to be isolated

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Pedestrians in masks waiting to cross the road in Central, Hong Kong. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Published: 12:48pm, 23 Aug 2020Updated: 10:04pm, 23 Aug 2020

Hong Kong health authorities have admitted a domestic helper undergoing treatment for cancer and who has tested preliminary positive for Covid-19 was kept in general wards for a month after her employer tested positive for the virus.

The revelation came as the city confirmed 25 new cases on Sunday, including a worrying new cluster at a care home for people with mental disabilities.

The city is already battling outbreaks at facilities for older residents, with the Elderly Services Association informing care homes they can refuse admission to anyone discharged from hospital who lacks a negative Covid-19 test result.

Six of the latest cases were imported, while eight of the local transmitted ones were untraced. The city’s tally now stands at 4,682, with 77 related deaths.

Among the newly infected were three staff members at Hong Chi Lei Muk Shue Hostel in Kwai Chung.

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