Initially testing negative, FDH now confirmed infected with COVID-19

Hospital Authority in Hong Kong. Photo taken by TKStevens from Wikimedia commons.

The Hospital Authority, the body which manages the public hospitals and institutions in Hong Kong, confirmed that a foreign domestic helper has tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) on Feb. 17, the first case involving a domestic worker.

The HA said it cannot disclose the patient’s nationality, however and will leave this up to the Department of Health.

“We cannot disclose patient’s details without consent. The Department of Health (DH) and the Hospital Authority (HA) will hold a press briefing on the latest situation of the novel coronavirus infection at 4:30 pm today,” the HA information officer said in an email to Hong Kong News on Feb. 18.

Local media have reported, however that the foreign domestic helper is a Filipina.

The 32-year-old foreign domestic helper worked for the 67-year-old woman who also tested positive for COVID-19 on Feb.13.

The woman dined with 28 others at Star Seafood Restaurant on King’s Road in North Point.

The foreign domestic helper initially tested negative, but a second test done three days after revealed positive results.

Her case brings the total number of people infected with COVID-19 Hong Kong to 61 as of Feb.18.

Philippine Consul General Raly Tejada said they are still awaiting official information about the case.