Delta threat returns alongside Omicron

Hong Kong is under the threat of both the Omicron and Delta variants of Covid-19.

That became plain yesterday when a 23-year-old pet shop worker tested preliminary positive for the Delta variant.

Delta, first detected in India in October 2020, went on to dominate the world before Omicron took over. But now Delta has struck in Hong Kong after not being detected in the SAR for more than two months.

The case indicates there may be silent transmission chains in the community of the more dangerous Delta.

Chuang Shuk-kwan, head of the Centre for Health Protection's communicable disease unit, said the Delta case involves a 23-year-old woman working at the Little Boss pet shop in Causeway Bay.

The woman, living at No 4 Tung Sing Road in Aberdeen, had received two doses of mainland-made Sinovac vaccine. Her residence was locked down from 7pm last night.

"She developed a sore throat and cough on January 11," Chuang said. "She self-medicated and did not seek medical attention."

Then the woman was tested on Saturday and showed up as preliminary positive for Delta.

Around 10 family members, friends and colleagues of the woman have been sent to Penny's Bay quarantine center.

"The case identified another possible source of infection in the community and that might be the Delta strain," Chuang said. "It's not only restricted to the Omicron cases detected recently.

"So we're very worried about whether there are other sources of infection that have not been detected."

Chuang said the case has been classified as an unknown source and health authorities are still investigating how the woman was infected.

Chuang also revealed the woman dined at the Haidilao Hot Pot in Yau Ma Tei on January 5 and went to the Kew Green Hotel Wan Chai on January 10 for a staycation.

She again appealed to Hongkongers to get tested or seek medical attention as soon as possible if they develop Covid symptoms, even if mild.

Meanwhile, cross-transmission was found at designated quarantine hotel Silka Seaview Hotel in Yau Ma Tei, pandemic adviser Yuen Kwok-yung said.

This came after a 43-year-old Pakistani housewife tested positive after being quarantined on the 12th floor of the hotel.

She is suspected to have been infected by another person in quarantine - a 71-year-old man in the next room.

Yuen, who inspected the hotel yesterday, said the transmissions affected four rooms - two on the 12th floor and two on the fourth - due to a lack of ventilation.

The virus was spread into corridors when infected patients opened doors and the virus then entered other people's rooms, Yuen said. That meant the hotel should adjust its ventilation system to clear corridors of viruses.

He also said people next to the affected rooms will have to be quarantined for an extra 14 days.

Hong Kong yesterday recorded 11 new cases, including three locally transmitted cases and eight imported cases, taking the SAR's Omicron tally to 423 cases.

Chuang said one of 40 diners in the Covid-hit Nabe Urawa Japanese restaurant has not been found as the person used a prepaid SIM card. The other 39 have gone into quarantine.

Authorities had earlier shortened the quarantine period for close contacts at the Penny's Bay from 21 days to 14 days given the short incubation period of Omicron.

The quarantine center will start arranging tests for close contacts today, and people who test negative can leave after a 14-day quarantine.

Macau, meanwhile, tightened its border-crossing rules with Zhuhai after the mainland city detected seven local Omicron infections on Friday.

From yesterday, people entering Macau via Zhuhai port need to have a negative test result within 24 hours rather than the previous requirement for 48 hours.

Queues were seen at testing centers in Zhuhai at 9am yesterday.

A mainland resident who often goes to Macau to take care of relatives' children said she will not reduce the frequency of her cross-border travels despite the tightened rules.