Agencies urge Covid-19 test validity for FDWs extended to 7 days

By Daisy CL Mandap

Most Philippine testing centers guarantee results upwards of 3 days

A group of employment agencies has called on the Hong Kong government to extend to seven days the validity of the Covid-19 testing for Filipino and Indonesian domestic workers who will fly in from Jul 25, from the current 72 hours.

The Hong Kong Union of Employment Agencies said in a press release issued on Jul 20 that the requirement was not realistic as most swab tests carried out overseas are not released within 72 hours.

In the Philippines, most hospitals that do Covid-19 testing send back test results no earlier than three days. Only Makati Medical Center guarantees a result within two days, at a cost of Php8,150.

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The Philippine Red Cross, which charges the cheapest fee of between Php1158 and Php4,000, takes a week to send the test result.

The agencies said that the 7-day validity is in line with the standard set by the neighboring city of Guangdong.

Even if some tests results are released within 48 hours, the statement said the time left for employers to confirm the worker’s ticket and hotel booking for quarantine is too short.

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Should the worker fail to meet the requirement in time and misses her flight, the employer will end up shouldering a huge cost.

In the  HKUEA's estimate, the total cost for the failed test fee, cancelled flight and hotel booking would amount to around $10,000.

 

HKUEA earlier called on the government to provide a centralized quarantine facility for FDWs

Because of such problems, the Union predicted that the FDW deployments to Hong Kong will fall sharply, despite the strong demand from employers, and the sending countries might also stop sending their workers here.

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The new travel restrictions for people flying into Hong Kong from seven countries including the Philippines, were published in the Official Gazette on Jul 18, as part of cross-border regulations to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

The other countries affected previously described by government as “high risk” for Covid-19 are Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan and South Africa.

Aside from testing negative for the virus within the prescribed time before the flight, the worker must also present a certificate that the laboratory that conducted the test was accredited by the government.

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Also required is proof of confirmation of a hotel booking in Hong Kong for no less than 14 days, the required period for the mandatory quarantine.

The new restrictions were drawn up in the wake of a number of travelers from the affected countries testing positive for Covid-19 on arrival at Hong Kong Airport.

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Maid in deep worry as male friend uses her ATM card to move $1.2m

By Vir B. Lumicao

Some of the more popular online dating sites

Never lend your bank ATM card to anyone.

This was the advice Jennifer (not her real name), a Filipina domestic worker, heard from everyone when she realized too late that the card she had lent a male friend was being used in illicit cash transfers totaling more than $1.2 million.

Jennifer sought advice from a helpers’ online group in late June after receiving a phone call from her bank asking her if she had a joint account with another person. It turned out her ATM card had been used repeatedly by her online boyfriend for illegal money transfers.

The latest case emerged just two weeks after another Filipina, Estrella Gumabay, was jailed 12 months for her role in laundering nearly $1.6 million of suspected “love scam” money by lending her two ATM cards to a male friend she met online.

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Jennifer said in her online appeal for help that she was alerted to her boyfriend’s illicit activities after hearing from the bank. The group in turn referred her to The SUN, who helped her report the matter to the Consulate and the police.

Jennifer, who has been in Hong Kong for just three years, said she met the man on a dating site in late March this year.

About a month later, the man asked her to open a bank account, and then to lend him her ATM card, saying he needed a bank account from where he could draw his salary, but he didn’t have any in his name.

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Jennifer opened an account with $1,000 of her own money as opening deposit, then gave the ATM card to her friend. Soon after, large sums of money began moving in and out of her account.

For the period April 20- May 15 alone, more than $750,000 had passed through her savings account in amounts ranging from $100 to $50,000. Each time a large sum was deposited, it would almost be immediately withdrawn.

Then on May 21, a huge deposit of around $500,000 was made to her savings account, while a separate one for $20,000 was deposited into her current account.

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A deposit of $24,000 was made into the savings account a week later, but withdrawn the same day.

That was the last transaction made into her accounts, leaving the $20,000 in her current account before the money flow halted.

The police are now investigating.

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At least three other similar attempts to use Filipina helpers in money laundering were disclosed on the same online page, DWC Help Group, before Jennifer came forward.

But fellow workers who are aware of the scam warned the target Filipinas of the danger they would get into if they allowed their bank accounts to be used as conduits of money-laundering criminals.  

“Huwag kang papayag, Sis. Ikaw ang makukulong diyan,” warned one commenter.

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Govt quashes lockdown rumor as 61 new infections and 2 deaths reported

By The SUN

 

It's not true that a lockdown will be ordered in the next few days, says a government spokesman

The government has issued a press statement denying that it may impose a lockdown in the coming days amid a surge in Covid-19 cases.

The statement released today, Jul 21, said the rumor is unfounded.

“In view of the severity of the epidemic situation, we should fight the disease together. Members of the public should not be misled by fake news, nor should they spread any rumour that can lead to unnecessary fear,” the statement said.

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The statement came as health officials reported 61 new confirmed Covid-19 cases, one of the biggest daily tallies since the outbreak began in January. The total tally now stands at 2,019.

Two deaths were also reported within the day, which raised the total fatality rate to 14.

The first casualty was a 77-year-old male confirmed patient at Queen Mary Hospital in Pokfulam who passed away at around 2am today.

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Less than an hour later, a 87-year-old male patient who also had Covid-19 died at Prince of Wales Hospital in Shatin.

Both had chronic diseases but were in stable condition when admitted to hospital – the first on Jul 16 and the other on Jul 9.

An elderly male patient at Prince of Wales Hospital was among two deaths reported today

Among three imported cases today was a Filipino seafarer.

Talks of a lockdown began when a top microbiologist Prof Yuen Kwok-yung warned during a radio interview Monday that a “virtual lockdown” may be necessary if the coronavirus cases increase in the next week or so.

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Asked about the statement, Dr Chuang Shuk-kwan of the Centre for Health Protection did not rule out more stringent measures if the number of cases continued to rise.

Sunday saw a record 108 confirmed cases being reported. Yesterday, 73 more positive cases were added to the total figure, the second highest on record.

As in the start of the month, when the so-called third wave of infections occurred, the cases were spread out across several districts in Hong Kong, and many had unknown origin.

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Today reflected the same phenomenon, with 58 local cases reported from various districts and establishments, and with many family members being infected at the same time.

Chuang said 34 of the cases had links to previous ones, but the source of the 24 others could not yet be determined.

Hospital Authority’s chief manager Linda Yu said that the surge in new cases was putting pressure on the city’s public hospitals. As of now, almost 70 percent of the isolation beds are occupied, and two hospitals are already near capacity.

“We are also worried. If the situation does not improve we will not have enough beds,” Yu said.

She also noted that 29 patients are now in critical condition, up from seven yesterday. A further 11 patients are seriously ill.

Chuang reiterated an appeal for people not to seek Covid-19 test if they do not have symptoms, to avoid overloading the public healthy system.

“If you have no symptoms and are just worried, please do not go tested because you will burden the medical system such that those who really need it have to wait longer,” she said.

The doctors also issued an appeal for blood donation, saying what is collected daily at the moment is not enough to meet the needs of the hospitals.

Among today’s cases were a number involving various hospitals. A patient at Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital has tested positive, after staying in the same ward as an infected patient who was put there while recovering from an appendectomy.

A total of 40 health case staff and 33 patients have been tested after the incident, and all the results are negative.

At Ruttonjee Hospital, a patient who visited the endoscopy center on Jul 16 was diagnosed with the disease afterwards. Eight other patients who had been in the same ward were classified as close contacts, and were put under quarantine.

An 84-year-old patient in the general ward of Queen Elizabeth Hospital also tested preliminary positive today. A total of five cases have so far been linked to this cluster, which started with another elderly patient being put in a ward before being found to be infected.

Among the local cases with unknown source was a 64-year-old woman who accompanied residents of various elderly homes to hospitals. Her case is being investigated.

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Suspect in alleged staircase rape in Central alley charged in court

By The SUN

 

The alleged rape happened in an exit staircase of Fai Man building on Li Yuen Street West in Central

A man, described in a Chinese online media site as an African asylum seeker has been charged in Eastern Court of raping a Filipina domestic helper on Jul 1.

The defendant, Obi Collins, 36, was charged yesterday, Jul 20, before Magistrate Bina Chainrai following his arrest in Yuen Long last Friday.

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No plea was taken and the suspect was release on $10,000 bail. But she ordered him not to contact the prosecution witnesses, not to leave Hong Kong and to report to the police three times a week.

Chainrai adjourned the case until Sept 15 at the request of the prosecution, who said police were making further investigation.

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The alleged offence took place on the fifth floor exit staircase of Fai Man Building on 13 Li Yuen Street West. The incident was captured on video by an unknown person and was then freely circulated online.

The 38-year-old alleged victim, identified in the charge sheet as Miss X, was reportedly drunk at the time of the incident.

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Miss X reportedly went to the Central Police District to complain about the alleged rape, as well as the uploading of the video on the internet.

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The Philippine Consulate says it will extend assistance to the alleged victim.

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Man in alley video scandal to be charged with rape

By The SUN

The report in the Chinese-language online site shows the alley where the alleged rape happened

A man, described in a Chinese online media site as an African recognizance holder, will appear in Eastern Court tomorrow, charged with the alleged rape of a Filipina domestic helper on Jul 1.

The alleged offence, which happened on the exit staircase of a building on Li Yuen Street West, was captured on video by an unknown person, and was then freely circulated online.

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The 38-year-old Filipina who was reportedly drunk during the time of the incident, went to the Central Police District a few days later to complain about the alleged rape, as well as the uploading of the video on the internet.

The newspaper report said the 36-year-old suspect was arrested in Yuen Long on Friday, Jul 18, following an investigation by the Police Anti-Triad Squad.

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The Philippine Consulate says it will extend assistance to the alleged victim.

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Sickly maid grateful, but says she doesn’t need cash aid from fellow workers

By Vir B. Lumicao

Melinda gets off her sick bed to visit OWWA and thank them for their help

A sacked sickly Filipina domestic worker who has generated overwhelming sympathy after The SUN wrote about her $51,000 hospital bill has rejected an offer by fellow helpers to raise funds for her.

Melinda, not her real name, said on Sunday, Jul 19, that she was deeply touched by the outpouring of support from the OFWs, but declined their offer as she had applied for a waiver of her bill at Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

She is now awaiting the approval of her application for fee waiver following her interview by the head of the hospital’s Medical Social Services Unit last Friday, Jul 17.

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“Sir, for my sake please make it clear na nailapit ko po yung documents ko sa mismong head ng Social Services, kasi hinintay po ako talaga for interview niyon. Bukas ko po malalaman ang approval ng Social Services po,” Melinda said in a message.

But she extended her thanks to the dozens of several individuals and groups, including the Philippine Alliance of Hong Kong, who offered to raise money for her medical bill.

Many offers of help were posted in the comments section of the article on her plight that came out in The SUN, and generated more than 2,000 “likes” on Facebook. Several others sent personal messages asking for her bank account or online account number.

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Today, Jul 20, Melinda went to see Welfare Officer Virsie Tamayao, who helped her apply for the fee waiver, visa extension, and financial assistance from the Akap program for displaced overseas Filipino workers of the Department of Labor and Employment.

Tamayao said the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration would also reimburse Melinda’s visa extension cost.

 

Tamayao's generous food donation overwhelmed Melinda

Earlier, Owwa also sent food packs to Melinda, who is resting under doctor’s orders in a hostel in Tsim Sha Tsui.

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Tamayao earlier expressed misgivings about the fundraising for Melinda, saying she was confident the fee waiver that they sought would be granted.

This is in line with what Hong Kong legislator Fernando Cheung said in an earlier interview with The SUN, that public hospitals would not refuse to treat terminated migrant workers, and would not pursue them for an unpaid bill incurred while they were out of job.

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Melinda was confined for five nights in the Yau Ma Tei hospital after she ran a fever, experienced heavy bleeding and suffered fainting spells. She was diagnosed with low hemoglobin levels and with a pelvic infection

During her stay, she underwent various procedures and treatment including CT scan, ultrasound, blood transfusion, blood tests and various other laboratory examinations.

Melinda reached out to The SUN for help, and she was linked up with Tamayao.

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Health officials warn of virtual lockdown as 73 new Covid-19 cases reported

By Daisy CL Mandap

Drs Chuang and Ho at today's press briefing: drastic measures may be taken if hospitals are overwhelmed

Hong Kong health officials are warning of stricter measures, including a stay-at-home order or a virtual lockdown, if the number of Covid-19 cases continues to surge.

The warning came as 73 new confirmed cases were reported today, Jul 20, the second highest daily toll after yesterday’s record of 108 cases. Of these cases, 66 are locally acquired, and seven are imported, including one Filipino seafarer.

The first to sound out the alarm was top microbiologist Yuen Kwok-yung who said in a radio interview that Hong Kong may have to go into a virtual lockdown if the number of coronavirus cases continues to increase in the next one or two weeks.

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He described the measure as “close to a lockdown” of the entire city.

At today’s Covid-19 press briefing, Dr Chuang Shuk-kwan of the Centre for Health Protection did not discount this possibility.

“If the cases increase exponentially, then of course we will be overwhelmed and we will  need to take new measures,” Chuang said.

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She said today’s decline in the number of cases from Monday’s record tally cannot be seen as a downward trend as they reflect the situation in the past two to three weeks because of the incubation period of the disease.

Of the seven imported cases, four involved seafarers, including one who flew in from the Philippines, another from Korea and two from Qatar. The others were a pilot who flew in from Japan, another traveler from Ehiopia, and another from Kazakhstan.

Among today’s local cases, 39 are linked to previous infections, including 24 that spread among family members, a new one at a table tennis center in Yau Ma Tei and at the Eye Centre in Tuen Mun. 

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But a number of new infections are causing concern, including a doctor who runs a clinic in Causeway Bay, and had visited an elderly home in North Point; and a patient who tested positive after being put in a ward with 10 other patients following an appendectomy.

Several clusters of people who dined at restaurants were also in list, including three more family members who had a meal at ChiuChow Garden at MetroPlaza in Kwai Fong, making a total of nine infections; and six patrons of  Victoria Harbour restaurant at the Metropark Hotel in Mong Kok.

 

6 of today's cases dined at Victoria Harbour restaurant in MetroPark Hotel in Mongkok

There were also several cases linked to the Fulum restaurant in Tuen Mun Central Square where a birthday party was held, and about 20 tables were booked.

Dr Linda Yu of the Hospital Authority, meanwhile urged people to go to private laboratories if they want to get themselves tested for the disease and are asymptomatic, so as not to put a strain on the public health system. 

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“Those without symptoms but want to be tested must approach private laboratories recognized by the government…the A&E (accident and emergency) sections of public hospitals will only provide tests for patients with symptoms,” she said.

Yu said the Lei Yue Mun holiday camp is being readied to take in patients if the public hospitals are filled to capacity in the next two weeks. She said the temporary hospital should be ready in 72 hours should the need arises.

As of noon today, she said 562 confirmed cases are in isolation rooms in 14 hospitals, 23 of them in critical condition, and 13 in serious condition. A total of 1,301 have been discharged, after eight more recoveries today.

The death toll remains at 12.

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