Rebound 'shows Outbreak Not Under Complete Control'

Health officials said a rebound in the number of Covid-19 cases shows there's still silent transmission in the community.

Since hitting a near seven-week low of 25 cases on Wednesday, the number of infections has been heading north. It reached 45 on Friday, 42 of which are locally acquired.

Officials are unable to trace the source of 22 infections.

And more than 40 other people have tested preliminary positive for the virus.

Dr Chuang Shuk-kwan of the Centre for Health Protection said the latest figures showed the outbreak has not come under complete control.

“This signifies that there may still be some significant silent transmission in the community,” she said.

“When I look at these cases, most of them did not have definite mass gatherings during the end of last year or early January. They are mainly sporadic. So this also signifies that there may be other silent transmission, not only the gatherings. Maybe there are some cases we do not know yet in the community.”

Meanwhile, public hospitals announced the lifting of a ban on the presence of a companion during childbirth.

The ban was reintroduced amid the latest wave of coronavirus infections.

Starting from Tuesday, husbands or partners will be allowed during delivery but required to obtain a negative Covid-19 test result within three days before childbirth.

Dr Au Yeung Kam-chuen, chairman of the Hospital Authority’s Coordinating Committee on Obstetrics and Gynaecology, said the companions are advised to get tested every three days before delivery.

“We understand that the pregnant lady may go into labour anytime, so we would advise those at term pregnancy, if they want to accompany their wives or partners, they should try to arrange the test in a regular interval in preparation for that,” he said.

He said the companions are also required to comply with infection-control measures at hospitals.

Authorities said they would exercise discretion for the companions of those giving birth before the 37th week.