HK still battling with virus third wave despite dropping infections

Health officials warned the public to stay vigilant despite a significant drop in the number of local coronavirus transmissions for two weeks in a row. 

This came as the SAR confirmed 46 new Covid-19 cases today, of which 12 had unidentified sources of transmission. 

The figures marked the 14th consecutive day the daily record stayed below 100, as 39 infections were domestic.

Three more workers linked to the Kwai Chung container port were diagnosed with the disease, bringing the tally of the cluster to eight. The Center for Health Protection has sent more than 120 workers at the port to quarantine centers. 

The CHP’s Chuang Shuk-kwan said the infection cluster might be associated with the shared facilities port workers used, such as rest rooms and beds. 

Another resident at the Salvation Army Lung Hang Residence for Senior Citizens was confirmed with the virus, making him the 15th patient linked to the elderly home. Chuang believes the infections at the cluster have peaked. 

Asked if the government should relax the social-gathering restriction which bans restaurant dine-ins after 6pm, Chuang said there might be a possible resurgence of the virus despite the drop in infection numbers, if there are “super-spreaders” in the community. 

She urged citizens to avoid going out during weekends, which could cause infections to rebound. 

“Many of the recent cases did not stop their social activities and they still joined gatherings,” said Chuang, who described the increased flow of people on streets as “worrying”.

She said the conditions to relax social-gathering curbs hinges on the government’s decisions, but the number of infections should be as low as possible.   

The rest of yesterday’s cases were seven imported infections, including three domestic workers from the Philippines, three incoming travelers from India, and a cabin crew staffer who arrived at the SAR from Australia through Singapore.