Choi Wan Estate residents evacuate as lockdown extended

A Choi Hung block lockdown has been extended for another day after authorities identified additional Covid cases within the residential block. Some residents were also evacuated after health experts believed the virus was being transmitted vertically at the building.

Cheung Bor House of Choi Wan (I) Estate in Choi Hung was placed under lockdown on Wednesday night after a security guard and two residents there tested positive for the coronavirus.

Authorities on Thursday morning announced that the lockdown will be extended for one more day to Friday (Jan 28), in view of the significant risk of infection at the residential block.

“There are a couple of positive cases affecting residents of Cheung Bor House, Choi Wan (I) Estate and more preliminary tested positive cases have been identified under the ‘restriction-testing declaration’ operation conducted yesterday,” said a government spokesman.

The spokesman also added it is worrying to note that there are around 20 cases tested preliminarily positive or positive cases so far.

The government also called on residents of Cheung Bor House, including those who are at work and not currently at the premises, to return to their household and to comply with the testing arrangement.

Meanwhile, top microbiologist and government advisor Yuen Kwok-yung arrived at the building for inspection after the suspected vertical transmission.

Speaking after inspecting the block, Yuen believed the coronavirus was transmitted through a wake effect, where coronavirus-carrying air went from lower to upper floors. He also added that the design of the vent pipe at the rooftop was problematic.

He said the preliminary cases were mainly at units 7 and 11 on different floors, along with another four units from the 16th floor.

As a precautionary measure, he said that all households living in units 7 and 11 of the block should evacuate to a quarantine center due to the suspected vertical transmission. As for households living in units 2 to 7 on the 16 floor, they will also be evacuated due to a suspected horizontal transmission.

All security guards who have worked at the building will also have to get tested for Covid due to a confirmed patient having dined at the security control room.