New UK Covid Strain Found In Two Returnees

Health authorities said on Wednesday that the new UK coronavirus variant has been found in Hong Kong.

After testing 11 samples from those returning from Britain recently, two of them – both from students – revealed the same new variant as that reported in the UK.

One of the students, 14, is still being treated in hospital while the other, who's 17, has been discharged. Authorities are following up on their close contacts.

"These two are the first two cases we've found in Hong Kong that have a new variant gene," said Dr Chuang Shuk-kwan, head of the Communicable Disease Branch of the Centre for Health Protection.

"According to the UK reports, they may be more infectious and a small proportion of Covid in general may have a very long incubation period, more than 14 days. That's why we're implementing 21 days' rule for those coming back from the UK just to make sure they won't spread (the virus) to the community."

Health authorities on Wednesday reported 53 new Covid-19 cases.

Forty-seven were local infections, of which 20 could not be traced.

There were also more than 40 preliminary positive cases.

Residents of another public-housing block will undergo mandatory testing. Those living in Ping Shing House in Ping Tin Estate in Lam Tin will be tested after infections were reported from five units there.

And specimen bottles will be distributed to residents of Block 4 of Hong Sing Garden in Tseung Kwan O for testing.

Health officials also said a woman who was in isolation at Penny's Bay quarantine camp went missing after visiting a doctor at North Lantau Hospital.

She has tested negative for the virus so far.

The police are following up on the case.

Meanwhile, a 77-year-old male patient confirmed with Covid-19 has died at Tuen Mun Hospital, raising the city's death toll to 133.

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