Authorities Warn Of 'explosive' Covid Outbreak

Health officials are warning that the latest Covid-19 outbreak could turn "explosive" as the city records a triple-digit increase in new cases for the second day in a row.

Authorities reported 101 new coronavirus infections on Saturday. Ninety-two were believed to be locally acquired. Among them, 29 could not be traced.

Of the untraceable cases, one was a student from Munsang College in Sai Wan Ho.

A principal medical and health officer from the Centre for Health Protection, Albert Au, said he was very worried about the high number of cases, especially the ones that were untraceable, despite the social distancing measures already in place.

“This signifies that a lot of silent transmission in various places in Hong Kong,” the doctor said. “If the situation continues, at some point we may encounter explosive outbreaks in the near future.”

The remaining 63 local cases were mostly linked to several major clusters, including 18 additions to a cluster linked to dance venues, three to a construction site in Lohas Park, and two new patients from the Fong Shu Chuen Hostel Day Activity Centre/Hostel for the disabled in Shau Kei Wan.

Authorities also said there were 50 preliminary positive cases.

Meanwhile, a nurse from St John Hospital in Cheung Chau had to undergo medical surveillance and get tested for the coronavirus, after someone spilled their deep throat saliva sample.

A chief manager from the Hospital Authority, Lau Ka-hin, said a member of the public had spilled the sample onto a desk at the clinic on purpose after being told that they had missed a deadline for sample collection.

“We find that person’s disregard of social morals regrettable,” said Dr Lau, adding that there was no other hospital or patients around during the incident.

Separately, the MTR has also announced that there won't be any overnight train services on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve because of the pandemic.

The rail operator also says it will temporarily reduce train frequency during non-peak hours from next Saturday on the Island and Kwun Tong lines, following a drop in passenger numbers.