Coronavirus: samples from Hong Kong quarantine hotel linked to local infection test positive for Delta variant
- Bridal Tea House Hotel in Yau Ma Tei suspected of being source of part-time cleaner’s infection
- City confirms three new imported infections on Sunday, all from Britain
Two samples taken from a quarantine hotel in Hong Kong suspected to be linked to a woman’s coronavirus variant infection have tested positive, officials said on Sunday afternoon, as the city confirmed three new imported cases.
The new cases all involved arrivals from Britain, and took the official tally to 11,942 cases, with 211 related deaths. Fewer than five preliminary-positive cases were reported.
Earlier in the day, Secretary for Food and Health Sophia Chan Siu-chee said no samples taken from the quarantine hotel had tested positive so far. But the Department of Health later said a total of 44 environmental samples were taken at the hotel, with two collected from the bathroom sink of the room testing positive for Covid-19.
Chan said a team of inspectors had conducted daily checks at the 34 hotels for arrivals to the city, to ensure they had been following infection control and social-distancing guidelines, such as ensuring guests did not leave their rooms.
“We hope that all hotels overall can adhere to the guidelines provided by the health authorities,” she said on a radio programme.
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The global spread of the highly contagious Delta variant of Covid-19
On Friday, a 41-year-old cleaner was confirmed with the more transmissive L452R variant, which has been linked to several coronavirus mutants, including the Delta one that was first reported in India. Her infection broke the city’s 24-day run of zero local infections.