Four More Domestic Helpers Confirmed With Covid-19

Health officials said on Monday that four foreign domestic helpers who shared a Sheung Wan boarding house with a helper who later tested positive are among the city's latest Covid patients as the total tally of coronavirus cases in Hong Kong reached 4,148.

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) said the four were among the 69 new cases, of which only two were imported.

Of the 67 local cases, 45 had links to previous cases, and 22 have no known source of transmission. There are 20 to 30 preliminary positive cases also.

The CHP's Dr Chuang Shuk-kwan said the four helpers had lived in the boarding house with a 39-year-old Indonesian maid who was confirmed to have caught the virus on Friday.

The flat is managed by the APIK Employment Agency in Kin On Commercial Building.

Chuang said two of the women had also stayed in Tuen Mun for a few days to help someone move flats, while another helper went to stay in the home of a friend's employer in Hang Hau. Contact tracing efforts are now underway in these places, she said.

Among Monday's confirmed cases was a 78-year-old private doctor who visited two rehabilitation centres during his infectious period and eight elderly care homes during his incubation period.

Chuang said that the rehabilitation centres and care homes he visited include the On Tai Estate Ancillary Facilities Block, the Kai King Home of the Aged in Sha Tin, the Cornwall Elderly's Home in Tai Po, the Chung Tao Elderly Centre in Kwai Chung, the Loc Shun Elderly Home in Sham Shui Po, the Mu Lan Home for the Aged in Mong Kok and the Elderly Home of Love in Yau Ma Tei.

"Hopefully ... he had taken necessary personal protective equipment and infection control measures. If that is the case, the chance of [infections] in residential care homes is not high."

Chuang said the CHP will be conducting a round of testing for residents and staff at these homes.

Some of those linked to previous cases include one person linked to the Kwai Chung container terminal cluster, and one person linked to the Sage Kai Yip Home for the Elderly at Kowloon Bay.