Coronavirus: Hong Kong records 13 new Covid-19 cases as health authorities set up more than 100 booths for mass testing
- Online registration for the universal screening begins from 7am on Saturday, as ministers Patrick Nip and Sophia Chan urge all to take part in the scheme
- Two more patients – aged 76 and 91 – died on Friday, taking the city’s tally of virus-related fatalities to 83
Dr Chuang Shuk-kwan, head of the Centre for Health Protection’s communicable disease branch, reported that all but three of the new cases were locally transmitted, while three infections were without a known source.
The news came as the government began to relax some social-distancing measures, including the reopening of cinemas and beauty parlours, and resuming evening dining at restaurants until 9pm.
Friday’s figures represent the city’s second-lowest daily total since July 3. Just nine cases were reported on Monday. Hong Kong’s coronavirus infection tally now stands at 4,768.
Among the newly infected was another resident of Hong Chi Lei Muk Shue Hostel, a home for the mentally disabled, taking the number of confirmed infections there to 14. Another resident also tested preliminary positive, as did a nurse at the private clinic of Dr Tse Kin-wah.
A family cluster of three infections involving a Food Panda delivery worker, her 30-year-old son and 59-year-old husband was also found. Chuang said the delivery worker had worn masks on the job, so her customers were not considered close contacts. Her husband died two days earlier at Tseung Kwan O hospital with his infection only confirmed on Friday.
At a press conference earlier in the day, government officials unveiled details of the mass testing scheme set to begin on September 1, and urged residents to sign up for it from 7am on Saturday.