Senior dialysis patient 'spread virus during sandwich break'

A dialysis patient could have spread Covid-19 to a female patient, who was undergoing the same kidney treatment in the next bed, during the minutes he took off his mask to eat a sandwich, says top microbiologist Yuen Kwok-yung.

This came as Hong Kong announced 103 new cases yesterday, comprising six imported cases, 82 linked with previous local infections and 15 from unknown sources. Around 70 preliminary positive patients are waiting for confirmation.

The death toll rose to 110 after a 73-year-old woman died at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Jordan.

The Centre for Health Protection's Chuang Shuk-kwan said a second dialysis patient from the private Hong Kong Sanatorium and Hospital, aged 86, tested preliminary positive on Tuesday. She went to the hospital for treatment at the same time as an 72-year-old infected man on November 24.

Chuang said the preliminary positive woman tested negative twice on November 24 and last Thursday, but samples taken on Tuesday came back positive.

"We believe there has been transmission in the hospital," she said, adding two more dialysis patients and some staff will be sent to quarantine while the area will be cordoned off for disinfection.

Yuen, a government adviser from the University of Hong Kong, inspected the Happy Valley hospital yesterday and said he believed the transmission took place in "the 15 maskless minutes" when the man ate a sandwich.

"The latest patient tested positive eight days later, meaning the viral load [in the first patient] was low," he said, adding ventilation in the dialysis ward is better than general ones, with 12 air changes per hour.

A Sanatorium hospital spokesman said more than 50 dialysis patients and 25 staff have tested negative and the hospital will provide free weekly tests for returning dialysis patients.

Among yesterday's confirmed cases, Chuang said the construction site cluster at Lohas Park Phase Nine has grown to 19 - including 17 workers and two of their family members.

All 900 workers have submitted samples for virus testing and work at the site has ceased.

Fong Shu Chuen Day Activity Centre cum Hostel for the disabled in Shau Kei Wan saw 39 more residents infected. All 50 residents and staff have been evacuated and put in quarantine at AsiaWorld-Expo since the first patient came to light on Sunday. So far, 41 residents and three staff have been infected.

Hospital Authority chief manager for quality and standards Lau Ka-hin said an occupational therapist, 31, from United Christian Hospital was an unknown-source patient.

He had been responsible for outreach duties and served 10 patients between November 22 and Tuesday.

Lau said the therapist had worn suitable protective gear and patients wore masks during therapy. The center is tracing the patients for follow-up and three staff who dined with the therapist will be sent to quarantine.

Meanwhile, the Executive Council is said to have agreed in principle to raise the fixed penalty for breaching the social gathering, mask wearing and quarantine fivefold - to HK$10,000 from HK$2,000.

It is understood that a final decision will be reached after the Department of Justice and the Food and Health Bureau clarify legal issues.

Tightened social distancing rules came into effect yesterday, with the cap on social gathering and diners per table reduced from four to two, while restaurants must close by 10pm.

With the exemption for local tours lifted, the Tourism Board announced the suspension of a local tour scheme.

In addition, the Hong Kong Brands and Products Expo will be postponed until the local situation stabilizes, organizer Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong said.

jane.cheung@singtaonewscorp.com