CHP Reports 13 More Imported Covid-19 Cases

Health officials said Hong Kong recorded 13 more imported Covid-19 cases on Friday, but said there was no risk of a local outbreak linked to this as all the new infections were identified on arrival in the city.

The addition of the new cases takes the total number of reported infections in Hong Kong to 1,079.

Speaking at a press briefing on Friday, Dr Chuang Shuk-kwan from the Centre for Health Protection said all 13 infected people returned from Pakistan on the same flight on Thursday.

The patients were aged between two and 46, and the cases include at least three clusters; five from one family, two from another, and two friends.

Chuang said there is no reason to believe this may lead to a risk in local outbreaks as all those who were infected were hospitalised and the rest of the flight passengers were moved to Chun Yeung Estate to be quarantined for 14 days.

Hong Kong has not reported any local infections for 15 days now. Many of the social distancing rules have been relaxed and some entertainment venues such as karaoke parlours, nightclubs, bathhouses, and party rooms have been allowed to resume business.

But Chuang said people should still remain vigilant, and take precautionary measures like wearing masks when singing at karaoke centres.

"I think singing is a relatively high-risk activity because you may project some droplets and aerosols to the surrounding people, and there are some documented outbreaks due to singing," she said.

"But if there are no cases in Hong Kong, of course the risk is relatively low. But we're not very sure whether there's still asymptomatic infection in the community, that's why [when] singing it's preferable to put on a mask if possible."