Over 70 cases detected at two Kwai Chung blocks: sources

Over 70 preliminary positive Covid-19 cases have been detected at Yat Kwai House and Ying Kwai House of Kwai Chung Estate, according to sources. 

At least 20 cases were detected at Yat Kwai House as of Friday. Later that night, Secretary for Food and Health Sophia Chan Siu-chee declared a five-day lockdown there, and some 2,700 residents must not leave home until next Wednesday (Jan 26). 

Residents must also undergo daily Covid testing for health officials to locate underlying cases. 

As of this morning, four men and two women at Yat Kwai House were listed as close contacts of infected patients and were sent to Penny's Bay Quarantine Center. Later, two men and a woman were sent to a designated quarantine center as well. 

On the other hand, Ying Kwai House was also locked down at 4am this morning (Saturday) after two residents there tested preliminary positive. 

It was the first time the government imposed a lockdown late at night, which surprised many residents. 

The lockdown at Ying Kwai House is expected to be lifted at 7pm tonight. This morning, residents went downstairs to undergo compulsory testing in phases. A man among them was sent to the hospital. 

A resident said he was only informed of the lockdown as he was heading to work, adding that he had to call his employer to tell them at short notice that he could not come to work. 

Another resident surnamed Ng, a security guard said he found out the building was put on lockdown after finishing the overnight shift. He headed urgently to an around-the-clock supermarket for supplies and fed strays first before returning home. 

Ng said although he found the late-night lockdown surprising, he could understand the authority's operation. He only hoped the government could notify residents beforehand so that they could be well prepared. 

As for the lockdown declared at 35-37 Nam Cheong Street in Sham Shui Po, none among 50 residents there tested positive for Covid-19 as of 11pm Friday. 

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