Hong Kong has recorded two new locally transmitted coronavirus infection after 23 consecutive days with only imported cases, health authorities confirmed on Wednesday. Another imported case was also reported, bringing the city’s total to 1,050 including four deaths.
The patient was a 66-year-old woman who lived in Lei Muk Shu Estate. She developed symptoms including fever, cough and runny nose last Friday, and visited the Mrs Wu Yuk Yu General Out-patient Clinic in Kwai Chung on Monday. The source of her infection is unknown -she has no travel history in the past three months and has not been in contact with other coronavirus patients.
Six of her eight family members have been hospitalised after displaying the relevant symptoms including a cough and slight fever. Her five-year-old granddaughter later tested positive for the virus.
According to Sumly Chan, chairman of the Tsuen Wan District Council, authorities have sent personnel to use bleach to clean the lobby, lifts and some staircases inside the building where the patient resided.
Health authorities have previously said the coronavirus could only be considered under control if the city saw no local cases for 28 days – the equivalent of two incubation periods.
Speaking on Commercial Radio on Wednesday, leading microbiologist Yuen Kwok-yung said the new locally-transmitted case was a “major warning” to the government. He said authorities should not ease anti-epidemic control measures further in the coming two weeks.
“You now know there is an invisible transmission chain. If you can’t find the source, and cannot break the transmission chain, you can’t resume classes,” Yuen said.
“What’s most important is to find as [many] contacts as possible, close or non-close, to get them tested and quarantined.”
The government relaxed some of its social distancing rules last week, opening some businesses such as fitness centres and beauty parlours with restrictions. The public gathering limit was also upped from four to eight people. Secondary students are also set to resume class gradually from May 27.