CHP official welcomes drop in Covid-19 cases to 25, but urges caution

By Daisy CL Mandap

Chuang (left), with Ho, says the case drop is a good sign

The Centre for Health Protection’s head of communicable diseases branch Dr Chuang Shuk-kwan has described a record drop in the number of Covid-19 cases as a good sign, but says the unlinked cases continue to cause concern.

Chuang made the statement as she announced that 25 new infections were recorded as of midnight last night, the lowest since the fourth wave of cases peaked about seven weeks ago. Hong Kong now has a total of 9,075 cases.

“We may (still) see some fluctuations during the week. But the overall trend has been decreasing, so this is a good signal,” she said.

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Among the new cases were three imported ones, and 22 which were locally acquired. The local cases include 15 which were linked to previous cases and 7 with unknown sources.

Chuang said there’s still a need to act prudently.

“But still there are quite a number of unlinked cases in the community, so we are not sure whether we’ve picked up all the cases…”

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She announced that the three imported cases included a returnee from India, an air crew from Ethiopia, and a seafarer from Russia. None had the dreaded coronavirus variant first found in Britain.

No new case of the coronavirus variant from newly arrived travelers was reported today

Among the noteworthy local cases were three linked to a new cluster of about a dozen cases that emerged from a construction site in the Tseung Kwan O – Lam Tin tunnel. One is a worker and two are close contacts.

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Another confirmed patient is a resident of a mental health facility in Wong Tai Sin, where 37 other patients who lived with him were sent to a quarantine center.

Another case is linked to the Hong Kong Buddhist Hospital.

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Dr Sara Ho, a chief manager at the Hospital Authority, disclosed that a radiologist at Tuen Mun Hospital also tested positive for Covid-19. Another staff member was classified as close contact and will be quarantined.

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Ho also said that one female patient died in North Lantau Hospital after being transferred there from Princess Margaret Hospital. The city’s death toll now stands at 150.

As of 9am today, 74 confirmed patients had been discharged from hospitals, raising the number of recoveries to 8,200 patients.

At the same time, 665 patients were still being treated in 22 public hospitals and the community in AsiaWorld-Expo. Of these, 43 are critical, 44 are in serious condition, and 578 are stable. 

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Cold snap expected, temperatures to drop to 8 degrees Friday

By The SUN

• 7 Jan
  (THU)

  
  11 | 17℃

  50-80%
• 8 Jan
  (FRI)

  
  8 | 13℃

  35-65%
• 9 Jan
  (SAT)

  
  8 | 13℃

  30-60%
• 10 Jan
  (SUN)

  
  10 | 13℃

  40-60%
• 11 Jan
  (MON)

  
  9 | 14℃

  40-65%
• 12 Jan
  (TUE)

  
  10 | 16℃

  40-70%
• 13 Jan
  (WED)

  
  12 | 18℃

  50-80%

Colder weather is expected in Hong Kong in the next few days, according to the Hong Kong Observatory.

Temperatures will drop appreciably to 11 degrees from tomorrow, to as low as 8 degrees on Friday and Saturday, and a couple of degrees lower in the New Territories. On Sunday, it will rise slightly to between 10 and 13 degrees.

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The weather will remain cold until Wednesday, but will rise to a maximum of 20 degrees during the day on Thursday. However, the mornings will remain cold, at between 12 and 14 degrees.

A surge of the winter monsoon is expected to affect the coastal areas of Guangdong today, bringing cool weather over the region, including Hong Kong. The next few days will be cloudier and colder, but the weather will gradually turn sunny starting Thursday.

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Here’s the full forecast:

General Situation: 

The winter monsoon is affecting Guangdong. Locally, temperatures over the territory in the afternoon were three to four degrees lower than those of yesterday. The winter monsoon is expected to strengthen tomorrow, it will become cold appreciably over the south China coast.

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Weather forecast for tonight and tomorrow

Becoming cloudy. Rather cool tomorrow morning, temperatures in the urban areas will be about 14 degrees, and a couple of degrees lower in the New Territories. Bright periods during the day. The maximum temperature will be around 17 degrees. It will become cold appreciably later with temperatures falling to a minimum of about 11 degrees tomorrow night. Moderate east to northeasterly winds, becoming fresh northerlies tomorrow, occasionally strong offshore.

Outlook:

Temperatures will fall to around 8 degrees in the urban areas on Friday and Saturday mornings, and a couple of degrees lower in the New Territories. Remaining cold early to midweek next week.

 

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Govt says it may regulate private events if advice against big gatherings not heeded

By The SUN

Dr Chan aired the warning in a RTHK talk show

 

The government has warned that indoor events, including those in private homes, could be regulated if people do not heed the advice to avoid large gatherings to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

This was what Secretary for Food and Health Dr Sophia Chan said in an RTHK program this morning, as she repeated the constant appeal by officials for people in different households to stop gathering and having meals together.

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Chan acknowledged that banning private gatherings could be considered too draconian, and that people have widely divergent views on the issue, but said the government would not hesitate to consider imposing such a measure if needed.

Several outbreaks among family members, especially during the current wave of infections, have been traced to gatherings in private homes of up to 20 people from different households.

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The practice has become quite common since the government imposed strict social distancing measures, including stopping dine-in services at 6pm, and requiring restaurants to ensure that no more than people sit and eat together in their premises.

Many foreign domestic helpers have been complaining about the practice as well, saying they are made to serve too many people too frequently within a week since the restrictions were imposed.

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Ironically, according to them, their employers who invite large crowds to their homes for meals, have been telling them to stay at home during their days-off so they don’t gather and pick up the virus from people outside.

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While controversial, the harsh measure is not unheard of. Several countries plagued by massive Covid-19 outbreaks like Britain, have taken to banning several households from gathering together indoors.

The severest restrictions to date have been extended for a two more weeks, or until Jan 20. Chan and other officials have also said it is not likely the measures will be lifted before the Lunar New Year, which starts on Feb. 12.

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Asked if he traditional Chinese New Year fairs will be held this year, the health secretary said large-scale events should be avoided.

She also said that while the current anti-epidemic measures are working, authorities still need to monitor the situation to see if there is a post-Christmas rebound in infections.

After 6pm dine-in ban will likely remain in place at least until CNY

Tuesday saw a further decline in the number of cases, with 32 being recorded for the day, the lowest since the fourth wave of infections broke out two months ago.

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However, University of Hong Kong microbiologist Ho Pak-leung said in the same talk show that Lunar New Year events should be cancelled to avoid further outbreaks.

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Ho was particularly concerned about a new surge in cases, particularly in St Margaret Hospital’s day ward, where five infections were reported in the past two days. More than 80 people, including patients, have been tested.

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A fresh cluster also emerged from the construction site in the Tseung Kwan O - Lamtin tunnel, prompting authorities to close the area, and order testing for all workers there.

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DH who died of heart attack flown home today

By Vir B. Lumicao 

Salmorin, 52, was well-loved by many, including her employers

A 52-year-old domestic helper from Hamtic, Antique who died from an apparent heart attack, made her final voyage home today, Jan. 5.

Victoria Salmorin, who had worked in Hong Kong for around three decades, was found collapsed inside her bedroom in her employer’s flat in Cyberport, Pokfulam on Dec 21. She was declared dead on arrival at Queen Mary Hospital.

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A police spokeswoman confirmed the Filipina’s death, saying it was due to illness. Her 51-year-old male employer was the one who found Salmorin unconscious, and called the police.  There were no suspicious circumstances, the spokeswoman said.

Salmorin, the first OFW fatality to be repatriated this year, was among five Filipino workers who died in Hong Kong last month, all due to illness, said Consul Paulo Saret, head of the Consulate’s assistance to nationals section.

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Her remains were flown to Manila on a Philippine Airlines flight that departed at 11:30 this morning, Saret said. Her coffin will be put on a connecting flight to Iloilo City early tomorrow, then transported overland for two and a half hours to her hometown 95km away.

Fr Jay administers final rites for the veteran OFW

Salmorin suffered from high blood pressure, said Rodelia Pedro Villar, a friend and founder of Facebook group Domestic Workers Corner, of which the deceased was a member.

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Villar said earlier that day, Salmorin’s employers saw her return from the supermarket. She then went to her bedroom to pack some stuff in a door-to-door box she was planning to send to her loved ones in the Philippines.

Salmorin, who was married but had no children, was known to be generous, especially to her siblings, said Villar.

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“Around 4:30 in the afternoon, the employers checked her room and saw her lying on the bed, her head leaning on the wall, eyes shut and snoring loudly. They thought she was just asleep so they didn’t wake her up,” Villar said.

At around 9pm, the employer wondered why the Filipina did not come out for dinner and checked her room again. She was found lifeless this time. The employers called the police and an ambulance came to pick her up. The ambulance staff tried to revive Salmorin, but in vain.

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Villar said Salmorin had worked for six years for her last employer. She was an active member of OFW Emotion with DJ Gell and Antiqueños Around the World, especially at their yearend gatherings.  

In fact, she was wrapping gifts for her group’s Christmas Party, being the primary sponsor, said Villar.

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“Nandun pa sa room niya ang maraming mga regalo na nakabalot at nakahanda para sa Christmas party nila ng grupo at siya ang primary sponsor. (There were many wrapped gifts in her room that she prepared for her group’s Christmas party, as she was the primary sponsor),” she said.

It was the male employer who did everything so that Salmorin’s relatives and friends would not worry about repatriating her, Villar said.

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“The employer is very supportive. He reported the death to ATN and OWWA (Overseas Workers Welfare Administration),” she said. 

At a necrological service for Salmorin held at Universal Funeral Homes in Hung Hom presided by Fr Jay Flandez, chaplain for Filipinos in Hong Kong, the employer and one of his children attended, said Villar.

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The employer was reportedly very emotional when he shared his good memories of Salmorin during the service.

“They (the employers) are very sad about what happened. They personally packed all her stuff to send to her family,” Villar said. 

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