7 new Covid-19 cases today, 2 with unknown source

By The SUN 

Two of the new cases have an unknown source

Hong Kong has reported seven new coronavirus cases today, Oct 3, including a newly arrived Filipina domestic helper.

Four of the new cases are imported, while three were locally acquired, two of which are without a known source of infection.

One of the untraceable cases is a 33-year-old chef who works at the “Mu-ni” Japanese restaurant in IFC mall and lives in Glory House on Gloucester Road, Wan Chai.

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The other one is a 25-year-old nurse who works at Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

The only case linked to a previous infection is a 38-year-old woman.

Dr Chuang Shuk-kwan, head of the communicable diseases branch at the Centre for Health Protection, said the chef went to work for a few days after developing a fever on Sept 25.

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He eventually visited a private clinic on Sept 30 where he was tested.

Chuang said 13 of his colleagues at the restaurant had been sent to quarantine. Customers who had been to the restaurant after Sept 23 should contact the Department of Health.

“We do not think the chance of transmission through the chef is very big, because he’s responsible for cooking the cooked food not the raw [food] or the sashimi and that kind of food,” she said.

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However, she said they couldn’t be sure because the chef worked for a few days at the restaurant before he was isolated.

“That’s why we still appeal to customers who are worried to get tested.”

Health officials say the nurse did not seem to have been infected at the hospital

As for the male nurse who was reported preliminary positive yesterday, six of his co-workers at the hospital have been put under quarantine. Around 50 patients and 50 hospital staff have been tested.

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Chuang had said earlier that the infection did not seem to have come from the hospital. The patient, who lives in Shamshuipo, reportedly visited friends’ homes on Sept 18 and 20, and had dinner with them.

Apart from the 45-year-old foreign domestic worker who flew in from Manila and tested positive at the airport, the other imported cases are a 54-year-old male returnee from Germany, a 59-year-old man who arrived from the UK, and a six-year-old girl from Nepal.

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The latest cases brought the city's tally of confirmed Covid-19 cases up to 5,104. There have been 105 deaths.

Hospital Authority chief manager Linda Yu said 122 confirmed patients were being treated in 17 public hospitals and at the AsiaWorld-Expo treatment facility. Among them, 10 are critical, eight are serious, and 104 are in stable condition.

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Musicians plead with health officials: ‘Let us go back to work’

By Daisy CL Mandap

HKMU led by Lo (middle, with glasses) poses for pictures
with Chui (3rd from left), Cheung and Chan after the meeting

Hong Kong musicians have made an impassioned appeal to health officials to let them go back to work by allowing bars and other entertainment venues to resume live performances as soon as possible.

The plea was made by officers of the Hong Kong Musicians Union, led by its chairperson Manuela D. Lo, during a meeting on Sept 29 with Deputy Health Secretary Howard Chan and Undersecretary for Food and Health Dr Chui Tak-yi.

The meeting was arranged by Legislative Council member Tommy Cheung, who represents the catering sector, and has been helping HKMU advance its cause.

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“Hear us, help us,” said an emotional Lo, as she told the officials how most of the 1,000 or so professional musicians in Hong Kong have been out of jobs since the bars were first shut on Apr 3.

Others became jobless even earlier, when the virus spread across four bars in key districts in late March, leaving more than 20 band members infected and about 50 others confined in quarantine centers.

She said many of the jobless musicians have been doing odd jobs like working for cargo companies, just to make ends meet. But others who are not permanent residents are not allowed to moonlight under their visa conditions.

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The bars were reopened on Jun 19, but were promptly closed down again when the third wave of infections swept across Hong Kong in early July. 

Lo said the tales of woes from the musicians have been heartbreaking, adding, almost in tears: “If you could give back their jobs, that would be great.”

While bars and other night spots were allowed to reopen starting on Sept 18, they are made to operate under very strict conditions. Everyone should wear a mask unless eating or drinking, and no more than two people can sit at each table, which should be kept 1.5 meters away from the next.

Bars were allowed to reopen last month, but without the live shows

Worse, especially for the musicians, is that the bars are still forbidden from having live performances, even if larger venues such as theaters and exhibition halls have been given the green light to stage shows before a live audience.

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Dr Chui replied that the government understood the difficulties faced by various sectors like the musicians, but it is now being more cautious in lifting restrictions, having learned its lesson from the recent outbreak that saw the number of infected persons rising to three digits per day.

He also noted that from just 7 deaths before the third wave of infections started in early July, there are now more than 100 casualties, which meant more than 90 patients had passed on in less than three months.

Chan assured the group that what the government wants is to ensure the safety of everyone, especially since another outbreak could come at the onset of winter.

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“All we want is to protect your health and the others, too,” he said.

He also raised concern about the spread of the virus among musicians staying in one dormitory in the second wave of infections, but was told that this was because they were imported workers, and hired by just one company that made them perform in the various bars where the disease spread.

Insomnia in Lan Kwai Fong was the first to close after the virus swept through bars

The health officials were also reminded that the infection in the bars appeared to have started not with the musicians, but with patrons, some of whom appeared to have brought back the virus from overseas.

Cheung assured the officials that the musicians were willing to undertake self-regulation to protect themselves and the community, and also convince the authorities to allow them to get back to work.

Among the measures they proposed were the following: (1) masks should be worn at all times inside the bars, even during performances; (2) all musicians must bring their own microphones and sterilize their own instruments; (3) no mingling with the guests; and (4) no bar-hopping, meaning performers will stick to one venue.

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At the same time, Cheung being a bar owner himself, said their sector could undertake to put up acrylic shields between the musicians and the audience to further lessen the chance of aerosol transmissions during a performance. 

He also suggested that wind instruments like saxophones and trumpets be not included in the repertoire for the same reason.

Tsui and Chan asked the musicians to list down all their proposals so the government can go over them and decide in the next week or two on whether they can be acted upon, as long as the situation continues to stabilize.

HKMU immediately took up the suggestion, and has already started a campaign to get their petition signed by as many musicians as possible over the holidays. The statement will then be sent to Cheung for endorsement to concerned government officials.

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HK’s two easy, breath-taking trails for families and beginners

By Vir B. Lumicao

 

Picture-perfect Pineapple Dam can be reached even by children

From the heights, it is a virtual emerald lake in the cusp of mountains above Tsuen Wan as the sky reflects on its glassy surface. But save for its refreshing beauty, Shing Mun Reservoir is not the place to be for hardened hikers.

The 9-kilometer Pineapple Dam Nature Trail, which is partly on Wilson Trail Section 7 that snakes through canopies of green around the reservoir, is one of Hong Kong’s numerous easy trails that are meant for family treks and exploration by nature lovers.

About 23km to the east in Po Lam, another family trail with mild ascents leads to what could be perhaps Tseung Kwan O’s best kept secrets, the Little Hawaii Waterfalls and Lin Yuen Terrace Waterfalls on the slopes of the Razor Hill.

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The cataracts cascade between volcanic boulders down the steep slopes of the hill and in some sections form basins that provide pools of cool, pristine waters for hikers who want to wade and cool themselves.

We visited these two trails consecutively on the last two Saturdays in September, when summer’s heat was gradually doused off by daily showers and thunderstorms.

On the hike at Pineapple Dam Nature Trail, this writer went with two regular hiking buddies from the DWC Saturday Group. With more clouds than sunshine this time of the year, the hike was not as energy-sapping as it was in the hot months.

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Taking the green minibus 82M from Shiu Wo St in Tsuen Wan at 9:30am, we were at the site in barely 15 minutes. A group of monkeys hurried down the trees, hoping to grab food from us as soon as we got off the minibus.

One woman was targeted by an aggressive male that tried to grab her backpack from behind. The simian backed off when the target’s male partner shooed it away with a stick.

We realized that was the wrong place to begin a hike. It’s safer to go right up Pineapple Dam Road and enter the dam gate a few hundred meters from the bus stop.

Hiking down to the reservoir is easy, but one should be wary of wild monkeys along the way

The dam offered gorgeous views of the reservoir, its surrounding hills including Needle Hill, and Lion Rock in the distance. The trail was flat and easy, obviously the reason why parents and their young children were among the several groups we met on the way.

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It took us more than two hours to find a meadow beside a stand of towering paperbark trees near the northern tip of the reservoir. We were bringing out our lunch when an old monkey appeared and got near. It went away after we stuffed the food back in our bags.

When we had finally eaten our lunch away from the view of monkeys, lightning began to crack, followed by thunder and pouring rain. We all were wet when we completed the reservoir loop and got back to the bus stop.

 

The beautiful Lin Yuen Waterfalls in Saikung is another easy trek

The next Saturday, Sept 26, my son joined me in a late afternoon quick hike to Lin Yuen Waterfalls not far from our village. We reached the falls in half an hour of leisurely walk via Tsui Lam Road and Wilson Trail Stage 3.

 On the path downhill to the main cascade, we met adult pairs young and old, parents with their primary school-age kids, as well as lone joggers already making their way back to the road. Only a few youngsters were at the waterfalls then, as dusk was approaching.

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 After taking a few dozen photographs, we retraced our steps back to our village.

The waterfalls have been in that previously seldom visited part of Saikung District long before the reclaimed cove of Junk Bay was turned into a bustling new town called Tseung Kwan O.

Hikers and picnickers, including Filipino workers, noticed the hidden scenic spot only after the old Yau Yue Wan trail was developed and officially added to the Wilson Trail by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department a few years ago.

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To get to the waterfalls, take the MTR to Polam, get off at the end of the line, then walk to Tseung Kwan O Village. Follow the Little Hawaii Trail next to village houses beside a rotunda. Villagers will readily direct you to the trail if you ask for help.  

For those coming from Tsuen Wan, take KMB bus 290, 29A or 290X and get off either at Ma Yau Tong Village and take Tsui Lam Road then turn left to Little Hawaii Road. A downward path on the right side of the road will take you to Lin Yuen Waterfalls.

From Kwun Tong, take KMB 93A, 93K and 98A and alight at Ma Yau Tong bus stop and then take Tsui Lam Road.

Alternatively, hikers can get off at Tseung Kwan O Village and cut the distance to the falls by about a kilometer.

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HK records 10 new Covid-19 cases, all but 1 imported

By The SUN

2 Filipina DHs who flew in separately are among the 10 new cases today (File)

Two Filipina domestic workers - one newly arrived, and another under quarantine - were among 10 new Covid-cases recorded in Hong Kong today, Oct 1. 

Nine of the cases are imported, while the sole local one is a 26-year-old female visitor from Thailand who had been in Hong Kong since mid-March and had stayed in various hotels in Kowloon before testing positive. Her case of infection is unknown.

Another local case is a male nurse at Queen Elizabeth Hospital who felt unwell on Sept 28, and tested preliminary positive after going for a consultation on Sept 30. Health authorities say there was no evidence he caught the virus in the hospital.

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The new confirmed cases brought the city’s tally to 5,097, with 105 related deaths.

The newly arrived Filipina DH who is 42 years old, flew in via Philippine Airlines flight PR 300 on Sept 29, and was confirmed positive at the airport.

The other one, who is 35 years old, came in aboard Cathay Pacific CX 906 on Sept 22, and tested negative on arrival. But while during quarantine at Harbour Bay Hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui she felt unwell and a test showed her infected.

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The biggest number of imported cases came from Britain. The five passengers, aged between 18 and 56, all tested positive on arrival at the airport. Three of them came aboard a direct Cathay flight from London, but traveled separately. The others flew in aboard a Turkish Airlines flight.

The surge in the number of returnees from Britain came just a day before all travelers from the country were required to present a negative result for Covid-19, and stay in hotels during the mandatory 14-day quarantine.

Britain became the 11^th country to be designated by Hong Kong as “high risk” for the coronavirus.

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The two other imported cases were returnees from France and Dubai.

Dr Chuang Shuk-kwan, head of the Centre for Health Protection’s communicable disease branch, said the infected Thai visitor had spent her time shopping and dining out with two friends, who have since flown back to Thailand.

“We are still tracing her close contacts, including one or two friends [here] and two more who stayed with her in Hong Kong but have returned to Thailand already,” said Chuang, adding that Thai health authorities would be contacted for follow-up.

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Some reports say the Thai patient stayed at a guest house in Tsim Sha Tsui between August and Sept 26, when she started feeling unwell. She moved to Dorsett Kwun Tong, Hong Kong and Hotel COZi‧ Harbour View respectively between 27th September and 28th September.

All the guests and staff at the hotels will be tested for the virus.

Chuang giving an update on the Covid-19 cases at today's press briefing 

Chuang also disclosed on questioning that all 61 residents and about 70 staff at a Yuen Long elderly home where a 71-year-old resident had been found infected earlier, all tested negative for the virus.

The residents had all been evacuated from the care home while the staff were quarantined as a safety precaution.

Dr Linda Yu, chief manager at the Hospital Authority, meanwhile said the nurse who tested positive at Queen Elizabeth had not been in contact with Covid-19 patients during the incubation period.

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But six of his colleagues who had meals with him would be quarantined for 14 days.

Yu also said that only 118 infected patients remain in public hospitals, of whom 10 are critical, 8 are serious, and 100 are in stable condition.

On Wednesday night, health inspectors carried out spot checks on 19 restaurants and bars in Lan Kwai Fong, Central, to see if they were following social distancing regulations, including seating a maximum of four customers to a table, which should be at least 1.5 meters apart.

The raid led to prosecution proceedings being filed against seven business establishments.

Business owners found guilty of violating the regulations can be fined up to $50,000 and jailed for a maximum period of six months.

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HK readies new quarantine and treatment sites to brace for future Covid wave

 By The SUN

Site of the new Covid-19 hospital with 800 beds near the HK Airport 

Chief Executive Carrie Lam said another wave of the coronavirus epidemic could hit Hong Kong in the future, so the government is preparing more quarantine and treatment facilities to fight the health menace more effectively.

Lam made the statement during a visit to Penny's Bay and AsiaWorld-Expo on Lantau Island on Sept 29 to inspect various Covid-19 quarantine and community treatment facilities, as well as a temporary hospital being built on a lot adjacent to AWE.

During the visit she learned more about the completed projects and the progress of ongoing works.

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“Although the epidemic situation in Hong Kong has slightly eased recently, there are risks of another wave in the future,” Lam said.

“The government will stay vigilant and is using the time to review comprehensively all prevention and control measures, including preparing more quarantine and treatment facilities, to cope with the epidemic more effectively in the future,” she said.

She also appealed to members of the public to continue to fully comply with various social distancing measures, especially during the National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival long holidays.

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“They should maintain the awareness of epidemic prevention and maintain personal and environmental hygiene at all times to reduce the risk of the spread of the virus,” Lam said.

Lam was accompanied by the Secretary for Food and Health Sophia Chan and the Undersecretary for Development, Liu Chun-san as she inspected the newly completed Penny’s Bay Quarantine Centre Phase 2.

She toured some units, including a barrier-free unit, the medical and the command posts, and was briefed by the staff on the construction and management of the quarantine centre, which is expected to completed by the end of the year. 

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A total of 3,500 self-contained units will be available at the quarantine center, in addition to about 500 in various facilities across the territory.

Lam and the other officials then departed for AWE where she was briefed by staff members of the Architectural Services Department and the contractor on the temporary hospital to be built adjacent to the facility.

Pre-construction work on the site is under way, and the treatment facility is expected to be operational in four months. More than 800 beds will be put in place in negative pressure wards, to complement the more than 1,000 isolation beds in public hospitals.

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Lam then inspected the construction of the AWE expansion wing, including the newly built enclosed cubicle and the medical command post. Two halls in AWE were earlier retrofitted to provide room for 900 beds, in preparation for another possible outbreak.

Lam and Chan inspect the expansion wing of the AWE treatment facility

The expansion work is expected to be completed in about four weeks and provide an additional 1,000 beds.

Lam praised the construction team for their ongoing hard work in overcoming various challenges of the project to meet the needs of the new treatment facilities.

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She then proceeded to inspect the quarantine facility of the Social Welfare Department in another hall of AWE, where 640 beds have been set up for use by residents of elderly homes and care facilities for persons with disabilities, if needed.
 
Lam thanked the Central Government for supporting the expansion of the quarantine facilities and in building the temporary hospital, as well as the Guangdong Provincial Government and the Shenzhen Municipal Government for assisting with the projects.

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