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Explainer | As coronavirus cluster linked to Hong Kong gym spreads, are city’s fitness centres safe enough to remain open?
- Centre for Health Protection warns the cluster linked to Ursus Fitness in Sai Ying Pun could exceed 50 cases
- With social-distancing restrictions on certain venues soon to expire, some experts have urged the government to have a rethink about gyms being open
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Should gyms be allowed to stay open now that Hong Kong health authorities are battling a super-spreading coronavirus cluster connected to a fitness centre? That was the question swirling around the city on Thursday after 17 people linked to Ursus Fitness in Sai Ying Pun were confirmed with Covid-19 in just two days, and about 30 more preliminary-positive cases were reported. The Centre for Health Protection warned the outbreak could involve more than 50 people.
As social-distancing restrictions on venues such as fitness centres, beauty parlours and cinemas are set to expire next Wednesday, some experts have urged the government to have a rethink about gyms being open, while operators argue against “group punishment” because of one company.
How did the gym cluster start?
A 27-year-old trainer at Ursus Fitness was diagnosed with Covid-19 and the source of his infection was unknown, the Centre for Health Protection reported on Wednesday. He last went to work on Tuesday and was asymptomatic. The following day, the centre reported 16 more cases linked to the gym, bringing the total to 17, including seven staff and 10 patrons.
Some patients in the cluster were also said to have visited other gyms.
Ursus Fitness has been temporarily shut. While 20 environmental samples collected from the gym came back negative, 240 customers who visited there between March 1 and 9 had to be quarantined.
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