'List Covid-19 As Occupational Disease'

There are now growing calls for the government to list the new coronavirus as an occupational disease.

In a statement on Friday, the Medical Association, Public Doctors' Association and Frontline Doctors' Union, along with medical sector lawmaker Pierre Chan, noted that a number of medical workers have already been infected with the virus in hospitals and elderly care homes.

They said studies show that medical staff working in hospitals and care homes are 16 to 24 times more likely than an average person to come down with the virus.

They added that listing the virus as an occupational disease can better protect the rights of medical workers, who won't have to face lengthy investigations after having contracted the virus due to their work.

They also urged the Labour and Welfare Secretary, Law Chi-kwong, to consider applying the proposed measure to other workers who also come into contact with a lot of people, such as care home and restaurant workers as well as security guards.

Concerns have grown after recent infections involving residents and workers in elderly homes, as well as patients and medical staff at some hospitals.

The number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in Hong Kong stands at 4,312. Sources have meanwhile told RTHK that health officials are expected to announce that around 40 newly-confirmed cases on Friday.