Medical Association Expresses Alarm Over New Cluster

The Hong Kong Medical Association (HKMA) said on Wednesday that it is highly concerned about a cluster of Covid-19 cases in the city, and in particular that a medical worker has been caught up in it.

The association called for the coronavirus to be classified as an occupational disease after an ambulance worker became infected while transporting a patient to hospital last weekend.

In a statement, the HKMA said it is worried about the cluster of cases linked to the Lek Yuen Estate in Sha Tin, and the paramedic's infection shows that frontline medical workers are still at risk of Covid-19.

The association said the cluster shows there is still a source of infection in the community, and it reminded people to stay vigilant with infection control measures.

"We are grateful to our colleagues in private clinics who continue to see their patients, despite the fact that the patients may be suffering from Covid-19," the HKMA said.

It also reminded those who work in private clinics to use personal protective equipment, maintain good hygiene in their clinics, and to test people for Covid-19 even if they only have mild symptoms.

The Lek Yuen cluster of cases emerged at the weekend, with a 34-year-old woman and her husband, four neighbours and two of the woman's colleagues coming down with the virus, as well as the paramedic.