HK Records First New Covid-19 Cases In Days

Hong Kong's recent spell of good luck when it comes to the coronavirus pandemic sweeping the world came to an end on Friday, with the city recording its first new coronavirus cases of the week.

After two new infections last Saturday, the SAR went five days without a single additional case.

But at a press briefing on Friday afternoon, Dr Chuang Shuk-kwan from the Centre for Health Protection confirmed that two more people have tested positive for Covid-19, bringing the SAR's tally so far to 1,039.

Chuang said the two new patients – a 34-year-old man and a 16-year-old girl – were among some 300 Hong Kong residents who returned to Hong Kong via a chartered flight from Pakistan on Thursday.

All of the returnees were given saliva tests for coronavirus at AsiaWorld-Expo on arrival, and were then transferred to a quarantine centre in Chun Yeung Estate in Fo Tan.

The man and girl who tested positive were then transferred to hospital.

Chuang urged people to stay vigilant, saying the danger of the pandemic has not passed yet, and it is still too early to declare that the situation is under control in Hong Kong, even though the number of daily confirmed cases remains low.

"The crisis is not over yet, especially as there are outbreaks globally, so we expect to see more imported cases in the future," she said.

The doctor reminded people to maintain social distancing, avoid gatherings, and maintain personal hygiene.