Another hit at Buddhist temple

Another person who visited the North Point Buddhist Temple regularly has been infected, taking the SAR total to 92.

The 70-year-old woman, living at Bauhinia Garden in Tseung Kwan O, had a cough and visited a private clinic on February 13.

But she continued to cough until last Saturday and returned to the same doctor.

That was also the day she read about a batch of cases linked to Fook Wai Ching She in Maylun Apartments in North Point. She went there frequently to pray.

So she called the department of health and was sent to United Christian Hospital, which led to a positive test.

Chuang Shuk-kwan, head of communicable diseases at the Centre for Health Protection, said the woman went to the temple on the mornings of January 24 and 25 and from February 1 to 8.

Nine people who have contracted the virus are known to have visited the temple, and three family members and a domestic helper have also been infected.

"I know North Point residents may be worried," Chuang said, "and that's why we held a health seminar in the district on Wednesday night."

A number of virus patients live in North Point, and all from two clusters: the temple and a hotpot gathering on January 26 that led to 11 of 19 family members infected.

Chuang said authorities have yet to identify "patient zero" in the temple cluster.

She said 221 worshippers had contacted the department, including about 20 who reported being ill and were referred to hospitals. Some have tested negative but results for others are pending. Thirty-five people are under a 14-day quarantine and 160 under surveillance.

In light of the North Point clusters, the Fukien Athletic Club and district groups yesterday distributed over 100,000 masks to residents in need.

And Chuang urged renewed vigilance, saying: "I still see many people going out to dinners and gatherings. Please don't think a mask means you're safe from the coronavirus as it can only prevent droplet transmission."

She added that the number of mainland cases is falling as people are better in maintaining social distance.

Chuang also said the Hospital Authority's enhanced laboratory scheme to test suspected cases of the virus will be extended to 50 private doctors. Tests on children and teenagers will also be considered.

Of the 92 confirmed cases, 26 have been discharged. And of those in 10 hospitals, one is in a critical condition, four are serious and the remaining 58 stable.