Govt quashes lockdown rumors as Covid-19 cases drop to 63

 By The SUN

All public transport will stop at 9pm today, according to the rumour

 

The government quickly dismissed rumors today, Dec 22, that the Chief Executive was to give a press briefing in the afternoon to announce harsh new anti-virus rules, including a shutdown in public transportation services starting at 9pm today.

A brief statement issued at 3:57pm today via the government information website said:  "We strongly condemn the spread of the rumours and appeal to the public to stay united in this difficult period as we fight against the disease.”

The statement said that the rumor that quickly circulated on the internet was “absolutely unfounded” and “totally fabricated.”

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The rumour circulated a few hours after all flights from Britain were halted as a result of the spread there of a coronavirus strain that is said to be 70% more infectious than the usual variety.

All new arrivals from Britain will also have to spend an extra week in home isolation after the first 14 days of mandatory quarantine. They also must return a negative result for a third Covid-19 test to be done on the 19^th or 20^th day in quarantine.

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But today, health officials said 63  coronavirus cases were recorded as of midnight Monday, the lowest in a month.

The new infections included 53 that were locally acquired, 13 of which were of unknown sources, also the lowest number for the past several days.

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Dr Chuang Shuk-kwan said the lower figures was a welcome sign, but warned against complacency.

“I hope this will be a continuing trend, instead of just one or two days (of drop in figures). We have to be prudent,” she said.

The Filipina tested negative at the airport, but positive on her second test while in quaranttine

Included among the 10 imported cases was a 32-year-old Filipina domestic helper who arrived on Dec 9 and tested positive while in quarantine. The others were two male returnees from Indonesia, two from the United Kingdom and two from India.

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The details of the three others were not immediately available.

Hong Kong’s total tally has gone up to 8,301, but only 1,081 confirmed patients are still receiving treatment in 22 public hospitals and the community facility at AsiaWorld Expo.

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Among them, 67 are in critical condition, 63 are seriously ill, and 951 are in stable condition.

One more death was recorded, that of an 86-year-old male patient who passed away early this morning at Queen Elizabeth Hospital. There are now 128 Covid-related deaths recorded in the city.

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There were more than 30 preliminary cases detected.

Among the notable cases was a doctor who runs a clinic in Tin Shui Wai, identified as Wu Xioachun. He reportedly treated two infected patients in his clinic on Dec 15 and 18, but had worn proper protective clothing.

Dr Chuang said all patients working in Wu’s clinic will be quarantined. Patients who saw him between Dec 19 and 20 have been told to get tested.

There were also a number of new cases reported from housing estates, including Lotus Tower in Kwun Tong, Yau Ma Tei Court, Ming Wah in Shau Kei Wan, and Ping Shing House in Lam Tin.

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