30 new Covid-19 cases reported, 9 of them new arrivals from Philippines

 By Daisy CL Mandap 

8 Filipina DHs and one returning resident were among 14 imported cases today

A record number of new arrivals from the Philippines were among 40 new Covid-19 cases reported Monday, Mar 15, by Hong Kong health authorities.

Nine of today’s 14 imported cases were all Filipinas, and all except one were foreign domestic workers. All nine carried the mutated strain of the coronavirus, according to Dr Albert Au from the Centre for Health Protection.

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Five all flew in aboard Cathay Pacific flight CX 906 which arrived from Manila at about 1:30pm Saturday, prompting Hong Kong authorities to impose a two-week ban on that flight starting today. They included the 43-year-old returning resident and FDHs aged 30 to 43.

Three others landed on the same day, and tested positive at the airport. Two of them aged 32 and 39, took Cebu Pacific flight 5J 272 from Manila; while the third, aged 26, flew in via Philippine Airlines flight PR 300.

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The ninth infection involved a 30-year-old Filipina domestic worker who arrived on flight 5J 272 on Mar 2, and tested positive on her 12^th day in hotel quarantine.

The number of infected new arrivals from the Philippines was the biggest since Hong Kong imposed stricter travel restrictions on those flying in from abroad on Mar 25 last year.

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To date, the biggest number of new arrivals from the Philippines who tested positive on arrival was recorded on Jul 11 last year, when 7 Filipina DHs deployed by a single recruitment agency in the Philippines came in with the virus.

Two other imported cases tested positive for the more infectious coronavirus strain: a male traveler from Pakistan who arrived on Mar 13, and another male traveler from Bangladesh who developed symptoms and tested positive on his 10^th day in quarantine.

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Rounding up the list of imported cases were another male resident who flew in from Pakistan on Mar 13, and two travelers who tested positive on their 12^th day in quarantine – a returnee from Togo and a female domestic worker from Indonesia.

Asked what could explain the rise in the number of imported cases, Au said this reflected the current global situation. “It may be related to the number of cases globally,” he said.

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For sure, the Philippines is among those currently experiencing a surge in cases, with new daily infections hovering around 5,000 in the past several days.

Of the 16 local cases, 15 are linked to previous infections and one was untraceable. Of the linked cases, 13 were related to the outbreak in Ursus Fitness in Sai Ying Pun.

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Au said the total number of cases linked to the gym cluster has gone up to 122, comprising 7 staff members, 85 customers and 30 close contacts. About 860 people identified as close contacts of the confirmed cases have been moved to quarantine centers.

Six more buildings linked to this outbreak were listed for compulsory testing, including the ritzy Borret Mansions, Tregunter Tower 1, Glory Heights and Kam Yuen Mansion in Mid-Levels; and Bellevue Garden on Old Peak Road.

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A third case was also found in the HSBC headquarters on Queen’s Road Central, prompting the issuance of a compulsory testing order on all workers in the building. But Au said that while the first two were linked to Ursus, the third case had not been to the gym.

Two staff at the US Consulate tested preliminary positive for Covid-19

There were more than 10 preliminary positive cases recorded, including two staff members at the United States Consulate General who were found during the overnight lockdown of Dynasty Court in Mid-Levels that started Sunday.

The couple, a 40-year-old man and a 41-year-old woman, showed no symptoms and last went to work on Friday. The last time they were out of Hong Kong was in September last year, so they are considered as local cases.

Au said the pair recently visited a bar on Staunton Street in Central and a restaurant in Sai Kung but did not go out much.

Hong Kong officials are said to be liaising with the US Consulate on the cases. Au said that if the two are confirmed to have Covid-19, they will be moved to a hospital and isolated in accordance with standard practice. All staff at the Consulate will also be ordered to go for testing.

In a statement, the US Consulate said the employees in question worked in offices where they did not interact with the public. It also said the consulate building has been closed for disinfection and cleansing.

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FDHs, persons aged over 30 and overseas students to get vaccine next

By The SUN

Nip and Chan announce extending the vaccination program to new groups (RTHK photo)

All foreign domestic helpers, residents aged 30 and above, as well as overseas students will be among the next priority groups for the Covid-19 vaccines, health officials said in a press conference this afternoon.

Secretary for the Civil Service Patrick Nip, who is in charge of the government’s vaccination program, made the announcement in a joint press briefing with Secretary for Food and Health Dr Sophia Chan.

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Nip said that starting at 9am tomorrow, those included in the new priority groups can book an appointment for taking the jab at Community Vaccination Centers or 18 general outpatient clinics of the Hospital Authority, or go to a private doctor.

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As with all previous bookings, all that the new applicants have to do is to sign up with their Hong Kong ID cards and provide a mobile phone number where they can get their booking confirmation and a reminder about their appointments.

Those signing up can also book their appointment for the second dose, which should be administered within 21 or 28 days, depending on which vaccine they choose.

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Currently, residents may choose to get the jab from either the mainland company Sinovac or the US-German group Pfizer/BioNTech. A third vaccine procured by the Hong Kong government from the Swedish-Anglo company AstraZeneca/Oxford University is not due to arrive until the second half of this year.

Immigration staff were in the 2nd priority group for the vaccines

The first priority group for the vaccine shots in Hong Kong were those aged 60 and above and medical frontliners. Second priority was given recently to teachers, workers in the catering industry, construction workers, market vendors, drivers of public transportation, and other people who deal with large groups in the course of their work.

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Nip said there is no problem with the supply of vaccines as the current inventory is enough for two doses for one million people in Hong Kong.

A million doses of the Sinovac vaccine was sent in one go to Hong Kong from Beijing, while the two shipments from Pfizer/BioNtech resulted in about 1.2 million doses being kept in storage here.

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To date, 198,000 people in Hong Kong have already received the first dose of the vaccine of their choice, accounting for only 3% of those allowed to take the jabs, meaning those aged 16 years old and above.

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The vaccines are free and are administered voluntarily, although the government aims to inoculate as many people as possible to achieve herd immunity.

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This comes amid fears that Hong Kong is now in the grip of a fifth wave of Covid-19 infections, after more than 100 cases were linked in just five days to a gym in Sai Ying Pun.

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Covid-19 'test on wheels' brought to FDH haunts

By The SUN 

A Filipina DH getting tested inside a mobile station parked on Chater Road

The Labour Department has sent mobile specimen collection stations at three places on Sunday, Mar 14, to give free Covid-19 testing service to foreign domestic helpers.

It was the first of two Sundays that free tests are being given to FDHs through the mobile stations set up at three of their favorite gathering places: Chater Road in Central, Hing Fat street entrance of Victoria Park in Causeway Bay, and in Lai Chi Kok Park.

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The second and last session will be held on Mar 21 at the same sites.

Morning queue on Chater Road

Dozens of FDHs queued up at all three sites in the morning to avail of the free tests done through a throat and nasal swab, but only a trickle could be seen signing up for it after lunch time.

Josie Pingkihan of United Filipinos in Hong Kong said her fellow FDHs should avail of the free Covid-19 test, which they could take without having to leave their regular haunts.

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“Sa mga kababayan ko, free po ito, unlike sa mga private clinics na mahal ang bayad,” said Pingkihan. (To my fellow Filipinas, this is free, unlike in private clinics where you have to pay a high fee). “Let’s take advantage of this free service by the Hong Kong government.”

Pingkihan tells fellow FDHs, 'take advantage of this free service right at your doorstep'

One Filipina in the vicinity said she did not avail of the free service as she had already gone for a coronavirus test in an earlier round sponsored by the Labour Department, and was already satisfied with her negative test result.

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The easy time FDHs had with getting the free coronavirus test contrasted sharply with the long wait other residents had to put up with in nearby Edinburgh Place. 

At nearby Edinburgh Place, hundreds lined up for the same free service

As many as 100 people were seen lining up just outside City Hall to avail of the free tests offered by the government in the wake of a virus outbreak in a gym in the neighboring district of Sai Ying Pun.

Throughout the day, the police, along with staff of various government departments, patrolled  places where FDHs thronged, to remind them of the ban on public gatherings of more than four people, and to wear face masks. Many ignored the reminder, but the police made no effort to issue penalty tickets.

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A statement from the Labour Department said the mobile broadcasts reminding FDHs to comply with the anti-epidemic regulations, as well as the free test on wheels, will continue next Sunday, Mar 21.

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It called on FDHs to take advantage of the latest round of free tests offered exclusively to them, and for employers and employment agencies to help encourage them.

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FDHs who test negative will get their result via SMS. All positive test results will be referred to the Centre for Health Protection, which will take care of informing the participant, and arranging for treatment.

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All enquiries about the free testing service may be made through the dedicated FDH hotline at 2157 9537 (manned by 1823) or by email to fdh-enquiry@labour.gov.hk. 

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CX flights from Manila banned after 5 Covid-19 cases found

By The SUN

Cathay won't be able to fly from and to Manila until Mar 28

Hong Kong health authorities have stopped Cathay Pacific from flying in from Manila for two weeks after five of its passengers tested positive on arrival Saturday, Mar 13.

A press release issued by the Department of Health at about 10pm Sunday said it was invoking its right under Cap 599H (Regulation of Cross-boundary Conveyances and Travellers) by prohibiting the “landing of passenger flights from Manila operated by CX in Hong Kong from Mar 15 to 28, 2021.”

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The statement said five passengers on board CX 906 which arrived at 1:30pm Saturday were confirmed to have Covid-19 through specimens collected at the HK International Airport.

All of its passengers should have presented negative test results for the coronavirus before being allowed to board the flight to Hong Kong, apart from confirmed bookings for 21 days at a designated quarantine hotel.

An overnight curfew will again be imposed in Metro Manila after a spike in cases

The ban comes amid a surge in infections in the Philippines, and reports of a new coronavirus variant unique to the country (PH variant) being found.

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On Sunday, 4,999 new Covid-19 cases were reported across the country, bringing the total number of infections to 621,498. The day before, more than 5,000 new cases were reported.

Over the weekend, health authorities also reported that a new coronavirus unique to the Philippines was found. Designated as P.3, the new strain was discovered after 85 cases “with unique set of mutations” were submitted to the global reporting system Pangolin (Phylogenetic Assignment of Named Global Outbreak Lineages).

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There are now 98 cases of this variant in the country, after 13 more cases were found.

All coronavirus variants, including ones first found in Britain, South Africa and Brazil, are known to be 70% more infectious.

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However, Philippine health authorities say more data is needed to say whether the P.3 variant is more transmissible or causes more severe diseases and increased risk of death.

The new imported cases from the Philippines are expected to be announced by Hong Kong health authorities in their daily press briefing today. It takes two positive results in tests for a person to be identified as a confirmed case in Hong Kong.

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Yesterday, 24 new cases were reported, but they did not include any imported ones. However, about 20 other cases were designated as preliminary positive.

Previously, multiple infections were also detected in a Cebu Pacific flight that arrived in Hong Kong from Manila on Sept. 9, but the ban was not imposed on the airline.

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Five Filipina domestic helpers from the same recruitment agency who flew in aboard a 5J flight from Manila tested positive on arrival in Hong Kong that time, and five others were found infected while in hotel quarantine on subsequent days.

Three of those infected were sent back to Manila after treatment, prompting the Consulate to protest to Hong Kong Immigration authorities, citing a breach in protocol.

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The flight ban was, however, imposed on Air India twice, and on Nepal Airlines once, after multiple cases were found among the passengers they flew into Hong Kong.

A flight ban on Britain, South Africa and Brazil remains in force, in the wake of the virus mutations found in these countries. 

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24 new Covid-19 cases recorded; 10 linked to gym outbreak

By Vir B. Lumicao 

All 3 campuses of The Harbour School were shut after 3 teachers tested positive (File)

Ten more people linked to a gym in Sai Ying Pun were among 24 new Covid-19 cases recorded today, Mar 14, and health officials warned the cluster could grow bigger, as the coronavirus has an incubation period of 14 days.

“We have to be mindful and need to closely monitor the situation to see if there are further transmissions arising from this cluster,” Dr Albert Au from the Centre for Health Protection said at today’s press briefing.

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Au said the new cases had raised the number of confirmed infections from Ursus Fitness to 109. Ten preliminary positive cases are also linked to the outbreak.

The number of close contacts had also gone up to 750, and Au said the CHP would move all of them to quarantine centers.

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Mandatory testing will also be carried out on 1,900 people at seven schools where patients in the Ursus cluster either work or study.

Of today’s 10 additional patients from the Ursus cluster, six were customers and four were close contacts, said Au.

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Two confirmed and one preliminary positive cases were found at The Harbour School’s Grove campus in Ap Lei Chau today, all of them teachers.

Au said the first patient shared a classroom with the second case, a fellow IT teacher. The third case is an art teacher who had a brief, 10-minute contact with the IT teacher.

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“So we believe that the transmission is person to person and happened inside the IT room,” said Au.

All 35 students and six assistant teaching staff in two IT classes at Harbour School need to undergo quarantine and testing.

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The school said on its website that all of its three campuses  - at Belcher’s Street in Kennedy Town and on Lee Chi Road and Ap Lei Chai Bridge in Ap Lei Chau, have been closed and students will be doing virtual classes.

The youngest among today’s confirmed cases was a 5-year-old female K-2 pupil at Sun Island English Kindergarten in Yuen Long, Au said. The girl, who lives in Shek Au Wai, developed a symptom on Mar 6 and was confirmed positive on Saturday.

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Au said the girl’s father, aged 49, is also among the 20 preliminary positive cases. The father had an onset of the disease on Mar 13 and was found during contact tracing.

“So far, we have located three teachers and 14 students as close contacts who will be sent to quarantine,” Au said.

The tally of confirmed cases in Hong Kong is now 11,281, with the death toll at 203.

Kingsfield Tower in Pokfulam has been locked down overnight 

Meanwhile, the government began ambush lockdowns this evening in the upscale areas of Pok Fu Lam and Old Peak Road on Hong Kong Island to carry out compulsory testing of residents in several buildings there.

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The government said that residents of Block A and B, Kingsfield Tower, 64-68 Pok Fu Lam Road/73-83 Bonham Road; Fung Lam Bldg, 35-37 Pok Fu Lam Road; Tung Ming Court, 39 Pok Fu Lam Road; Lee Wai Bldg, 41-43 Pok Fu Lam Road; and 63 Pok Fu Lam Road in Central and Western District are required to stay in their premises and undergo compulsory testing.

The lockdown was prompted by a confirmed case in Kingsfield Tower recently and sewage samples that tested positive in Fung Lam Bldg, Tung Ming Court, Lee Wai Bldg and 63 Pok Fu Lam Road, the government said.

A similar lockdown was put in place from 7pm today to 7am tomorrow on Towers 1 to 5, Dynasty Court, 23 Old Peak Road in Central and Western District. .

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