Four of 6 new COVID-19 cases are Filipina domestic workers

Dr. Chuang Shuk-kwan from the Centre for Health Protection. (SCREENSHOT: isd.gov.hk)

Four Filipino domestic workers make up most of the six new confirmed cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Hong Kong, health authorities revealed Monday.

A 60-year-old Filipino domestic worker living in Tin Shui Wai tested positive for the coronavirus, but health authorities are still investigating the source of her infection.

In a press briefing Monday, Dr. Chuang Shuk-kwan from the Centre for Health Protection said the Filipina stayed with her employer on weekdays but stayed in Yuen Long during weekends. But Chuang pointed out the Filipina could not give authorities a clear address.

The helper also got a haircut in Tin Sau Bazaar on Sept. 16, two days before symptoms of infection appeared on Sept. 18. Her hairdresser will be sent to quarantine.

The Filipina worker also frequented a public market in Chung Fu, where some previously confirmed cases of COVID-19 have gone to. Chuang said they will distribute specimen bottles to tenants of the market.

While the other local case is epidemiologically linked to previous cases, three of the new imported cases also come from the Philippines—most notably a domestic worker who flew with 13 others recruited by the same agency. Nine from the group earlier tested positive.

A Filipina domestic worker who flew in on Sept. 19 via Cathay Pacific flight CX966 also tested positive for the virus. Another worker who tested positive during quarantine flew in on Sept. 10 via Cathay Pacific flight CX906.

The other imported case is from Togo, Ethiopia, who tested positive on Sept. 18.

Imported infections have jacked up the number of coronavirus cases in the city in recent days, with over 19 imported infections recorded yesterday.

Chuang said they have reviewed the criteria for stopping flights from high-risk areas under the Prevention and Control of Ordinance 599H in order to curb the increasing imported cases.

The ordinance states health officers may prohibit the landing of an aircraft or the docking of a vessel in Hong Kong territory.

“If the passenger flight has five or more passengers confirmed to have COVID-19 through specimen collecting on the day of arrival to Hong Kong, or two consecutive passenger flights from the same origin port of the same airline has three or more passengers, we will evoke that regulation,” Chuang said.

The Philippines is one of the 10 high-risk countries in Hong Kong’s watchlist. Passengers from high-risk countries must produce a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours prior to their arrival.

Chuang said while testing prior to boarding the flight is best, the 72-period is enough for a window period so those who can get tested will have time.

The city has recorded 5,039 COVID-19 cases so far, and 103 deaths linked to the coronavirus.