Hong Kong fourth wave: 53 new Covid-19 cases logged as police hunt for woman who fled quarantine centre
- Woman’s disappearance came just days after officers tracked down a patient who had escaped from a public hospital last Friday
- She had been taken to North Lantau Hospital for checks after complaining of chest problems but left on her own, officials said
The latest caseload, the lowest since the fourth wave of infections broke out about a month ago, included 47 locally transmitted infections, of which 20 were untraceable. The remaining six were imported. More than 40 preliminary-positive cases were also recorded.
The tally of confirmed infections stands at 8,353. The city also recorded its 133rd coronavirus-related death – a 77-year-old chronically ill man tied to a cluster involving dancing venues.
Dr Lau Ka-hin, the Hospital Authority’s chief manager for quality and standards, said the woman, who tested negative for the virus and was quarantined at a facility in Penny’s Bay on Lantau Island as a close contact of a patient, told health officers she had a chest problem and was sent to North Lantau Hospital on Wednesday for checks.
“But she did not take the vehicle arranged by the Department of Health to return to the quarantine centre and left on her own,” Lau said. “If residents are under quarantine or isolation after being confirmed with the virus, it’s irresponsible when they run away.”
Her disappearance came just days after officers tracked down a patient who had escaped from a public hospital last Friday.