New Cases Remain Low, But Situation Still Fluid: CHP

The number of new Covid-19 cases in Hong Kong was in single digits for a second day in a row, but health officials said it is still too soon to say the situation is under control as the number of victims linked to a cluster continued to grow.

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) reported six new Covid-19 cases on Wednesday, with just one being imported, and two more linked to an outbreak at an industrial building in Tai Wai.

The Tai Wai cases were relatives of a security guard and another worker at the Transport City Building.

The CHP's Dr Chuang Shuk-kwan said they were already displaying Covid-19 symptoms when they were visited by health officials and sent to hospital.

Chuang said a drop in the number of new cases did not necessarily signal the epidemic situation is under control as there were more than 10 preliminary positive cases, and a case with no known source was picked up during universal testing.

She also revealed that two previously-infected patients who were discharged at the end of last month were also found positive through the government scheme. But as they were likely to have tested positive because of the virus residue in their bodies, they will not be counted as new cases.

"Although we understand the virus may still be detected in the body for quite a while, it’s considered as not infectious," Chuang said.

"The risk of spreading [the virus] to others is very low. Of course, patients are still advised to observe personal hygiene, just like the general public."