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Omicron Hong Kong: fears of exponential growth in cases as cluster expands to include politicians, church-goers, dance group and restaurant diners

  • Health officials investigating untraceable Covid-19 case involving 58-year-old woman who visited Hong Kong Brands and Products Expo on Monday
  • About a quarter of the 4,600 rooms in quarantine facilities have already been filled

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A Covid-19 patient had visited the Hong Kong Brands and Products Expo.      Photo: May Tse
Hong Kong health officials are warning of exponential growth in Covid-19 cases and invisible transmission chains spreading in the community, as an Omicron cluster expanded to several circles including a dance group, politicians, churchgoing domestic helpers and patrons in two restaurants in less than two weeks.

They are also investigating an untraceable Covid-19 case involving a woman who visited the popular Hong Kong Brands and Products Expo in Victoria Park on Monday.

More than 350 people, including 170 partygoers, 60 people at an alumni gathering, 30 from a kindergarten and 93 domestic helpers, will need to be isolated as a result of the growing cluster. About a quarter of the 4,600 rooms in quarantine facilities have been filled.

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A Department of Health spokesman said close contacts would be given verbal reminders that they should stay at home before being sent to quarantine, unless they had to buy necessities.

But respiratory medicine expert Dr Leung Chi-chiu said the arrangement would heighten the risk of a community outbreak.

“It may be safer for family members of close contacts to help them, but the best solution is for the government to assist them and provide necessities at quarantine facilities,” he said.

On Friday night, authorities locked down Mayland Court in Causeway Bay for compulsory testing after sewage samples in the residential building tested positive.

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