HK posts record-high 4,285 confirmed & 7k preliminary cases; 9 deaths

By Daisy CL Mandap 

Record number of cases and deaths marked HK's worst day for Covid-19 (File) 

Hong Kong has posted its worst ever Covid-19 tally today, Feb 16, with 4,285 confirmed cases and 7,000 preliminary positive cases, most of them with the Omicron variant.

Nine deaths were also recorded, including a three-year-old girl with no known illnesses. It is Hong Kong’s worst single-day death toll since the pandemic began more than two days ago.

Hospitals remain full, with thousands of infected people stuck at home or outside hospitals and public clinics, all waiting to be admitted to an isolation facility.

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Among them are at least five Filipino domestic helpers with nowhere to go, and were forced to stay outside Queen Mary Hospital and the North Lantau Hospital while waiting for the authorities to act on their cases.

According to Dr Sara Ho, chief manager of the Hospital Authority, a total of 2,654 patients are being treated at public hospitals and two infection control centres which are operating at full capacity.

Penny’s Bay which serves as an isolation centre for those with mild or no symptom, has about 2,000 patients in its care.

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Media reports say between 10,000 to 12,000 patients are waiting to be placed in hospitals or isolation facilities, but Dr Ho said she did not have the exact figure.

She said the HA is exploring all avenues to find a solution to the shortage of facilities for Covid-positive patients.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam announced yesterday a plan to convert 3,000 public housing flats and10,000 hotel rooms into isolation facilities, but there is still no word yet on when this could take place.

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Dr Ho said the nine patients who passed away in the past 24 hours were:

1. An 82-year-old female who died at 3:45pm at Caritas Medical Center

2. 100 years old, female, 8:01pm at Tseung Kwan O Hospital

3. 3-year-old gir, 8:37pm, Children’s Hospital

4. 72 years old, male, 10:14pm, Queen Elizabeth Hospital

5. 90 years old, female, 10:17pm at Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital

6. 75 years old, female, 11:07pm, United Christian Hospital

7. 97 years old, male, 2:26am,Queen Mary Hospital

8. 97 years old, female, 5:55am, Queen Elizabeth Hospital

9. 37 years old, male, 9:53 am, Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital

The deaths raised Hong Kong’s total death toll from Covid-19 in public hospitals to 235.

Dr Ho added 17 other patients are in critical condition, and their ages range from 45 to 91 years old.

Dr Ho urged parents to get their children vaccinated after two young kids died of Covid within days

Of those who tested positive in the last 14 days, she said 17% were aged 17 and below, and 9% of these were aged 6 and below, indicating the vulnerability of young children to the new coronavirus strain.

Asked about the three-year-old girl who is now on record as Hong Kong’s youngest fatality, Dr Ho said her death was confirmed to have died from Covid-19, thus there was no need to refer her case to the coroner.

She added that the girl, who carried the Omicron variant, had no major illnesses, and was not infected at home. She had a younger brother who was not infected.

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She appealed to parents to get their young children vaccinated against Covid-19, given their apparent susceptibility to Omicron. Just last week, a 4-year-old boy who tested preliminary positive for the virus also died shortly after being taken to hospital.

Kids as young as 3 are now allowed to get vaccinated with Sinovac, while a reduced dosage of BioNTech is recommended for those aged 5 and up.

As for the 37-year-old male patient, Dr Ho said he was in a care home and suffered from chronic illnesses.

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She also revealed that the number of hospital staff who have tested positive for Covid-19 has risen to 120, with 20 new close contacts being identified. Twenty patients have also tested preliminary positive, with 100 others being classified as close contacts.

Dr Chuang Shuk-kwan of the Centre for Health Protection said 20 more residential care homes have had either residents or staff testing positive.

But unlike in the past when residents were moved to an isolation facility after a case was identified, they are now kept at the care home and tested. Only those who test positive are admitted to hospital.

Dr Ho said that even those who had been moved out have been sent back to the care homes, to reduce the chances of infection at the hospitals.

CE says Covid patients to be put in public estates & hotels, but rules out lockdown

By The SUN 

CE says a citywide lockdown is not part of her government's plans

Chief Executive Carrie Lam has unveiled plans to convert three public housing estates in the New Territories into quarantine facilities for Covid-19 patients, as the number of infections continued to mount today, Feb 15.

Speaking ahead of the Excutive Council meeting, CE Lam also said she plans to negotiate with hotel industry representatives on turning up to 10,000 hotel rooms into isolation facilities.

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She made the announcement shortly before health officials revealed that 5,400 preliminary positive patients were waiting to be moved to hospitals or quarantine facilities due to a lack of space.

Despite the continuing surge in infections, the city’s top official dismissed talks of a citywide lockdown.

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“As far as Hong Kong is concerned, we need to find our own way out of this epidemic, and so far, our measures to contain the spread of a disease remain a legitimate and valid one…I would have to say it very clearly that we have no plans for any widespread city lockdown as you have seen in some of the other places,” she said.

Mrs Lam identified the three public housing units to be used for patient quarantine as Blocks 1 and 7 of Queen’s Hill Estate in Fanling, and Heng King House of Lai Kai Estate.

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A total of 3,000 units will be made available in these estates, each of which can house a family with confirmed cases.

Two blocks in Queen's Hill Estate will be turned into a quarantine centre for patients

She said the plan is nothing new, as this was the same thing done two years ago at the start of the pandemic, when Chun Yeung Estate in Fo Tan was temporarily used as a quarantine site.

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In addition, she said she will hold talks with hotel representatives in a bid to secure thousands of rooms, preferably in just one big hotel, for use as quarantine facilities.

“My target is to get them to agree to a plan - it's not an individual negotiation, which has been the modus operandi previously - we approach individual hotels one by one and discuss the terms and conditions with them one by one. That is not efficient anymore,” she said.

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“So we will do a wholesale plan and require them to sign on the plan, so as to deliver a few thousand, up to 10,000 of the rooms within a short period of time,” she said.

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The CE added that although she has the power under Cap599 to compel the hotels to agree to the government plan, she does not want to take that option, as she’d rather work on getting them to cooperate.

Hatol sa Pinoy ipinagpaliban dahil sa Covid

Hahatulan sana sa korte ang Pilipino pero hindi natuloy dahil nagka Covid sya 

Hahatulan na sana kaninang umaga sa Eastern Magistracy ang isang Pilipino sa kasong pagpapatakbo ng isang pasugalan at pagtataglay ng droga, nang mapansing wala siya sa korte.

Tumayo ang abogado ni Archie J. Manlangit, 41, upang sabihin na ayon sa HK Correctional Services kung saan siya ay nakapiit, hindi ito makakarating dahil nag-positibo sa Covid-19.

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Hiningi ng abugado na ipagpaliban ang pagsentensiya sa nasasakdal sa Feb. 21, sa sinang-ayunan naman ni Magistrate Edward Wong Chin-yu.

At dahil hindi siya humiling na palayain kapalit ng piyansa, si Manlangit ay mananatili sa piitan.

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Si Manlangit, na walang trabaho at nakatira sa Lantau, ay isa sa 10 na nahuli sa raid ng police sa isang pasugalan sa Southern Bldg, 257-273 King’s Road, North Point, noong July 29, 2021.

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Kasama ni Manlangit na inaresto ang apat pang Pilipino – sina Elena M. Guardacasa, Rodenda V. Sugatan, Edardo dela Cruz Jr. at RJ Requero --at limang Intsik, pero tanging ang kaso laban sa kanya ang dininig ngayon.

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Ang nagsampa ng reklamo laban sa akusado ay ang District Anti-Triad Section ng HK Police.

Ayon sa report ng pulis na nag-raid sa pasugalan sa North Point, nakita diumano sa poder ni Manlangit ang 0.84 gramo ng shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride), na nakasilid sa dalawang supot na plastic.

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Ito ay labag sa Section 8 (1) (a) at (2) ng Dangerous Drugs Ordinance ng Hong Kong. Ang nakatakdang parusa dito ay multa na pwedeng umabot sa $1 million at pagkakakulong na wedeng tumagal ng 7 taon.

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Dahil itinakda na ang sentensya, ibig sabihin ay inamin ni Manlangit ang sakdal, o napatunayan ito sa isang paglilitis.

Confirmatory test scrapped as HK records 1.6k confirmed and 5.4k preliminary cases

By Daisy CL Mandap 

All hospital isolation wards and beds are full amid a surge in Covid-19 cases

Starting today, Hong Kong will end its two-year practice of conducting a second test to confirm a positive test result for Covid-19 in a bid to clear up the backlog of preliminary positive cases waiting to be confirmed by the government laboratory.

The move comes as the city reported 1,619 confirmed cases, but with around 5,400 preliminary positive cases waiting to be confirmed.

If no confirmatory second test is conducted on the preliminary cases, an unprecedented number of infections could be added to Hong Kong’s total coronavirus tally by tomorrow.

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Speaking at today’s press briefing, Dr Chuang Shuk-kwan from the Centre for Health Protection said the government laboratory can only confirm 75% of the cases within 24 hours amid the surge in infections.

As of this afternoon, the laboratory run by the Department of Health still had about 4,000 tests to confirm. The rest of the 5,400 samples that tested positive today have yet to be submitted for confirmation.

Amid the backlog, Chuang said it was decided that “the HA test will not be confirmed anymore.” She added the HA’s testing standards are extremely high and reliable, with no false positive cases being reported.

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That should speed up the processing of requests for hospitalization from the preliminary positive patients who have been told to stay at home for the meantime.

According to Chuang, all of the newly confirmed cases were locally acquired. Twelve carry the Delta mutant strain while 1,598 cases are likely to be Omicron. The test results on the nine remaining cases are still pending.

She also said that Covid-19 outbreaks have been reported in eight more homes for the elderly located in various districts including Sham Shui Po, Tseung Kwan O and Tsuen Wan.

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Sara Ho, chief manager of the Hospital Authority, said around 100 of their staff, including doctors and nurses, have either tested preliminary positive or been confirmed to have the virus. Most of them picked up the infection in the community.

Ho also said 2,482 confirmed patients are receiving treatment in public hospitals while 1,700 others who have mild to no symptoms are under isolation at Penny’s Bay community isolation facility.

Of those in hospital, eight remain in critical condition, including a three-year-old girl who is confined in Children’s Hospital.

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Ho said the utilization rate for hospital beds is beyond 90%, which she described as “the upper limit” of HA’s capacity.

Those isolating at home are told to monitor their health by taking daily temperature readings

To free up bed space for those in the priority list – the elderly, children and those seriously ill – staff have been moving patients around.

Some relief is in sight with seven public clinics being opened from tomorrow to admit confirmed patients with minor symptoms like a slight fever or a cough:

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Shau Kei Wan Jockey Club General Out-patient Clinic

Kennedy Town Jockey Club General Out-patient Clinic

Robert Black General Out-patient Clinic

Kowloon Bay Health Centre General Out-patient Clinic

South Kwai Chung Jockey Club General Out-patient Clinic

Yuen Chau Kok General Out-patient Clinic

Tin Shui Wai (Tin Yip Road) Community Health

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To visit one of these clinics, prior appointment must be made by telephone. The clinics will open everyday, from 9:00am to 1pm and 2pm-5pm.

Ho said that if a patient is deemed well enough following consultation, he or she will be allowed to go home. If not, then the clinic will arrange for the patient to be hospitalized.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam said in an earlier briefing that the government is in talks with taxi drivers groups to ensure the patients are able to take a ride in going to the clinics.

Meanwhile those who have been told to remain at home to wait for hospital transfer can call a dedicated hotline- 1836115 – between 8am to 10pm, for consultations on medical-related concerns.

Chief Secretary in quarantine after FDH tests preliminary positive

By The SUN 

CS Lee speaking at a press con last Saturday, Feb 12

The government said in a press release issued today, Jan 15, that Chief Secretary John Lee is undergoing home quarantine after his foreign domestic helper tested preliminary positive for Covid-19.

The statement added the city’s second top official and his family had taken rapid tests which came back negative.

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Lee and his family would reportedly submit deep throat saliva samples to the Department of Health for tests.

Information officers at the Department of Health said they had no information on the nationality of the FDH.

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Lee was last seen in public on Saturday night when he briefed the press about the outcome of a request for help by HKSAR officials from their counterparts in Guangdong and Shenzhen in combating the surge in Covid-19 infections in the city.

Lee who is supposed to attend an online Legislative Countil meeting this afternoon will be represented by Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Edward Yau.

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Legco's finance committee will take up the government's proposal to inject HK$27 billion into its anti-epidemic fund.

Filipinos among 17 people fined $5k each for violating gathering rules

By The SUN 

A Filipina is asked for her identity proof by police enforcers on Chater Road

At least one Filipino male was made to pay the fixed penalty of $5,000 after being caught in public on Sunday, Feb 13, without a mask on.

This was according to bystanders who witnessed the apprehension near Statue Square in Central.

The man had reportedly taken off his mask to drink and did not put it back on. He was throwing rubbish into a large trash can in the area when an officer spotted him.

In contrast, a large group of Filipinos that gathered near the IFC building in Central with their masks off got off lucky as they were just given a verbal warning.

However, neither incident could be independently confirmed with the police.  

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Another Filipina is shown in a photo supplied by the police in the act of showing her identity documents, but it could not be confirmed if she was being ticketed or was just given a warning. 

A police spokeswoman told the SUN earlier today that they could not give additional information on the 17 people who were fined $5,000 each for violating the tightened gathering restrictions imposed since Thursday amid the massive surge in Covid-19 cases.

However, those fined were most likely FDHs as the sweeping operation was conducted only among known haunts of helpers in Hong Kong.

According to the statement issued by the police and the Food and Environmental Health Department last night, another 11 people were given verbal warnings.

In addition, the FEHD said it arrested three persons for illegal hawking in public places in the vicinity of Connaught Road and the subway near Chater Road in Central, as well as in the vicinity of Sugar Street and Victoria Park in Wan Chai.

They also seized abandoned items including cooked food weighing about 48 kilos.

A group is questioned, apparently for group gathering violation

The police, along with staff of the FEHD, Labour Department and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, roamed known haunts of FDHs across several districts to ensure the stricter gathering regulations are complied with.

According to the tightened restrictions under cap 599G, a maximum of two people are allowed to gather in public. Failing to wear a mask in public is also an offence under Cap 599I.

Those who violate both regulations are subject to a fixed penalty of $5,000 each. The fine was doubled starting Thursday for those caught not wearing a mask on public transportation, and those who do not comply with a compulsory testing notice.

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The police issued photos accompanying their press release showing the Filipina on Chater Road being asked for her HKID card, and another of a group being questioned by several officers.

However, the police did not make it clear if the ones questioned were fined or just given verbal warnings.

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One group that gathered on Chater Road to film street dancing and record messages for an online campaign were approached by the police and reminded about the gathering regulations.

A shot taken by the police from an elevated place shows most people stuck to the strict gathering rule

The police told the organizers that someone had informed them that a large gathering was going to be held at the site starting at 3pm, and they wanted to make sure no violation would be committed.

The officers left without issuing any penalty ticket after being assured that no mass gathering was being organized, and that participants had been told to strictly follow the two-to-a-group regulation.

According to the government statement, the joint operations were held in Central and Western, Wan Chai, Yau Tsim, Mong Kok, Sham Shui Po, Shatin, Sai Kung and Tsuen Wan districts.

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The teams distributed leaflets advising the public about the enhanced regulations and used loud speakers to broadcast the reminder in multiple languages in the vicinity of Statue Square, Chater Road, City Hall and Tamar Park in Central.

‘Crisis’ as HK logs 2,071 new confirmed cases, 4.5k more preliminary positive

By Daisy CL Mandap 

Dr Ho says a crisis looms with hospitals unable to give space for all infected patients

Hong Kong's infection tally has surged to unprecedented levels with 2,071 Covid-19 cases confirmed today, Feb 14, and a further 4,500 diagnosed as preliminary positive. Four deaths were also reported.

Speaking at today's press briefing, Dr Chuang Shuk-kwan of the Centre for Health Protection said the government laboratory had been so overwhelmed yesterday that they were not able to confirm cases that had been referred to them as preliminary positive.

“About 2,000 cases have been confirmed but we have around 4,500 cases who are preliminary positive so we communicated with our laboratory and we understand that there were about 1,500 to 2,000 other cases that were not tested yesterday because of a backlog,” said Chuang.

“We expect those cases to be confirmed today.”

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Dr Sara Ho, chief manager of the Hospital Authority, called the current situation a crisis, with more than 90% of all hospital beds occupied and more than 1,000 other infected patients waiting to be hospitalized.

She called for the public’s understanding, saying health workers have been overstretched, given that thousands of cases have been detected daily in the past few days.

“We are dealing with a crisis now, so let’s join hands and help support our staff,” she said.

She added that the HA has been faced with manpower shortage because a number of hospital personnel have been testing positive.

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As of today, she said 40 more staff in various hospitals have tested preliminary positive, but the infection came mostly from the community. About 50 patients have been identified as close contacts.

In the past few days, the HK reported that no less than 50 of its staff had tested positive for Covid-19.

Despite such setbacks, Dr Ho said staff have been exerting effort to make sure the public health system does not collapse.

She also reported two new deaths of patients in hospitals after being diagnosed with coronavirus.

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One of them is a 77-year-old man who was hospitalized on Feb 12 at Eastern Hospital where he tested preliminary positive. His condition worsened rapidly and he passed away at 4:50am today.

Another was an 82-year-old man who was taken to Princess Margaret Hospital on Feb 11 after developing a fever. He tested preliminary positive on admission. His conditioned worsened and was certified dead at 2:17 am today.

Chuang says two infected elderly men died before being diagnosed

Separately, Dr Chuang reported on two elderly men with Covid-19 who died before they could be diagnosed. 

They were a 73-year-old living in Lam Tin and a 77-year-old who lived in Yau Ma Tei. They were tested positive in mortuaries.

Chuang also mentioned more infections being reported from elderly care homes involving staff and residents, including one in Sham Shui Po, another in Tuen Mun, and another in Prince Edward.

Ten patients were also reported as critically ill, including a three-year-old girl who is intensive care at Children’s Hospital.

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She reiterated that the new health protocol gives priority to the elderly, children and those in serious condition when admitting patients to hospitals.

She also said those who test positive and are in relatively good medical condition should isolate at home while waiting to be admitted to a hospital. They will be given a hotline that they could call if they need medical advice or any help while in home quarantine.

If any of the confirmed patients isolating at home develop shortness of breath, fever, increased heartbeat, or become half-conscious, their relatives or anyone looking after them should call for help immediately.

The doctors again emphasized that the current protocol is for all infected patients to be put in a hospital or isolation facility.

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Only those who are close contacts are allowed to isolate at home for either 14 days or 4 days depending on the level of proximity to an infected patient. While under home quarantine they must wear a tracking bracelet and should monitor their condition daily.

Meanwhile, Dr Chuang said among the confirmed cases today were 19 imported cases. All came from Cathay Pacific flight from Indonesia, resulting in a ban being imposed on the said flight for the next 14 days.