Hong Kong fourth wave: flats evacuated in coronavirus-hit block after drainage flaws found, as 112 new cases recorded

More than 1,000 residents in three blocks at Richland Gardens in Kowloon Bay will also have to undergo compulsory Covid-19 testing

Block 6 of the housing estate is now an ‘epidemic centre’, Professor Yuen Kwok-yung warns

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Professor Yuen Kwok-yung inspects a drainage pipe during his visit to Block 6 of Richland Gardens. Photo: Dickson Lee

Published: 9:57am, 10 Dec 2020Updated: 8:57am, 11 Dec 2020

Residents living in the D flats of a coronavirus-hit Hong Kong housing block, declared an “epidemic centre” by a top infectious disease expert, were forced to evacuate on Thursday after design problems were found in the estate’s sewage system.

More than 1,000 residents in three blocks at Richland Gardens, in Kowloon Bay, would also have to undergo compulsory Covid-19 testing.

The measures were revealed on Thursday as the city reported 112 new cases and health officials warned of a 77 per cent rise in untraceable infections in the community over the past week.

The city marked a third straight day of 100 or more new infections, with existing clusters, including ones involving a construction site in Tseung Kwan O and a department store in Sha Tin, continuing to grow.

Professor Yuen Kwok-yung of the University of Hong Kong inspected Block 6 of Richland Gardens on Thursday with government officials.

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