Coronavirus: Hong Kong outbreak fears over woman’s Easter gatherings send 50 to quarantine; six new Covid-19 cases confirmed

Health authorities take action after 29-year-old, her husband, and five other family members all test positive

Couple’s work colleagues in Kowloon Bay and Quarry Bay quarantined, while officials monitoring 14-year-old cousin who took exam with 100 others on Wednesday

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Health officials are sending about 50 people into quarantine over a Covid-19 potential outbreak. Photo: Photo: Nora Tam

Published: 7:39pm, 15 Apr 2021Updated: 8:01pm, 15 Apr 2021

Authorities in Hong Kong will quarantine about 50 people over fears of a possible family outbreak after a 29-year-old woman confirmed with Covid-19 had multiple gatherings over the Easter holidays, and six family members tested positive.

The move came as the city confirmed six new coronavirus cases on Thursday, two of which were locally transmitted, and one, involving the 29-year-old, was untraceable. There were also more than 10 preliminary-positive cases.

The woman had the earliest onset of symptoms. Her infection was classified as being from an unknown source. The other local case was her 38-year-old husband. More than 20 of the couple’s colleagues will be quarantined.

The woman had also attended multiple family gatherings over the past two weeks, resulting in 15 relatives being sent to quarantine. The woman’s parents and three relatives – her aunt, uncle and cousin – all tested preliminary-positive.

“They had family gatherings over the Easter holiday and now we are facing two confirmed cases and five preliminary-positive cases,” Dr Ambrose Wong, from the Centre for Health Protection, said. “If the five … are confirmed, then it is definitely an outbreak within the family. It’s related to the Easter holiday, I think it’s quite obvious.”

Hong Kong confirmed six new cases of Covid-19 on Thursday. Photo: Sam Tsang

The woman’s 64-year-old father developed symptoms on April 2. He is a mini bus driver on route 76 in Yuen Long from Fook Hong Street to Siu Hum Tsuen, and last worked on Wednesday.