Pinay among 7 new COVID-19 infections, new case with unknown source found

October 30, 2020

Dr. Chuang Shuk-kwan, head of the Communicable Disease Branch under the Centre for Health Protection (SCREENSHOT: isd.gov.hk)

A 27-year-old Filipina who recently arrived in Hong Kong was among the seven newly confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), as the city’s streak of no local infections without traceable sources was broken Friday.

The Filipina was under quarantine in The Charterhouse in Causeway Bay when she tested positive on the second sample, according to the Centre for Health Protection. She arrived on Oct. 16 via Philippine Airlines flight PR300.

Three arrivals from India and two other arrivals from Pakistan, along with the Filipina, comprise Friday’s six imported COVID-19 cases.

A local case with an unknown source of infection was found Friday, after four consecutive days of having no recorded COVID-19 patients without epidemiological links.

The 44-year-old male COVID-19 patient is a clerk working in the West Wing of Shun Tak Centre in Sheung Wan. On a regular company COVID-19 testing conducted Wednesday, he tested positive.

His 40-strong colleagues tested negative, but the CHP’s Dr. Chuang Shuk-kwan said they will arrange further tests. Eleven of his workmates will be quarantined as they either worked with him or shared a pantry with him.

The local went on a hike with a friend during the incubation period on Oct. 25, where he did not wear a mask. His friend will be quarantined.

Friday’s figures bring the number of COVID-19 cases in Hong Kong to 5,321.