Cluster At Argyle Street Firm Worries Officials

Health officials said on Friday that they are worried about a major cluster of Covid-19 cases linked to a private firm in Ho Man Tin, with the number of infections connected to the direct marketing company increasing to at least ten.

The company sells red wine and cosmetics products at the basement of Yee On Court on Argyle Street.

Dr Chuang Shuk-kwan of Centre for Health Protection (CHP) said the site could accommodate 100 people and she’s worried more people might be infected.

Four more staff were confirmed with Covid-19 on Friday in addition to six confirmed cases and five preliminary positive cases that have been linked to the firm, Star Global.

The government, the biggest employer in the city, had asked most civil servants to work from home and authorities had urged the private sector also to do the same to avoid putting workers at risk.

Several employees of a construction sector firm and a radio station have also fallen victim to the virus in workplace-related cases.

Meanwhile cases continue to sprout in elderly care homes, as the city saw two residents of such facilities succumb to the disease on Friday.

Residents and staff of elderly care homes in Diamond Hill, Fanling, and Sai Ying Pun have also now either confirmed as Covid-19 patients or tested positive in preliminary screening.

CHP officials said they are arranging for staff and residents who are considered close contacts of the confirmed as Covid patients to be quarantined and tested.