Stuck Cebu Pac passengers fly out after 24-hr wait

By Daisy CL Mandap 

The Manila-bound passengers decided to stick it out at the airport despite 3 flight cancellations

After several flight cancellations that left them stranded at Hong Kong Airport for more than 24 hours, about 100 Manila-bound passengers of a Cebu Pacific flight finally left at 9pm Monday night.

The airlift was carried out after Consul General Raly Tejada intervened, and asked the airline to fly the stranded passengers along with those who were originally booked for the Monday evening flight.

“It’s a mechanical failure. We have already fixed it,” Congen Tejada said in a text message. “They will send in a bigger aircraft, an A330 to bring everyone home including those who are taking the flight tonight.”

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He also allayed concerns that the passengers’ negative test results for Covid-19 would no longer be valid, saying that since they had already checked in, “technically wala na sila sa Hong Kong.” (Technically they are no longer in Hong Kong).

Despite the ban on passenger flights from the Philippines imposed since Jan 8, Cebu Pacific has continued flying regularly to Manila. It is not known for canceling flights at the last minute, so what happened Sunday night came as a surprise to most of the passengers.

The wait at the airport lasted more than 24 hours

Filipino community leader Sherina Manimtim-Erno, whose aunt was among those stuck, brought the matter to the Consulate’s attention.

“There are around 100 people stranded at the airport, mostly helpless domestic workers,” said Erno, who said she had taken her aunt there for the original 8:20pm flight on Sunday.

She said all the passengers had already checked in when they were told that the flight had been delayed to 11:50pm.

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“So pumasok na ang tita ko sa departure area ng 9pm. Around 11:50pm chineck ko tita ko kung nakasakay na sa eroplano. Nag announce daw ulit na delayed ng 2:00am. Nasa gate na, ha, at may gate nang naka-assign.”

(So my aunt went into the departure area by 9pm. At 11:50pm I checked if my aunt had already boarded the plane. She said there was another announcement that the flight was delayed again to 2am. They were already at the gate then, a gate had already been assigned).

But by 1am, there was another announcement that the 2am flight was again being cancelled, with no reasons given. By that time Erno said her aunt did not want to leave the airport anymore, fearing things might just get worse.

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Things just cleared up around noon Monday, when Congen Tejada said everything had been fixed.

But Erno could not help worrying still, not just for her aunt but for the mostly migrant workers who were affected by the flight cancellations. Not only did they not have much money with them,she said, they also had nowhere to go anymore if they left the airport.

She was relieved when at around 1pm Monday, the passengers reported that airline staff had  given them water and sandwich, as well as $300 each. They were again given meals at 7pm before their flight finally left.

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Thousands swarm newly launched RAT reporting platform

 By The SUN

 

A positive result from a RAT shows two bars appearing in the kit

As expected, hundreds of thousands of people who tested positive for Covid-19 using rapid antigen test (RAT) kits have besieged a platform for registering their personal information as soon as it was set up by the government at 6pm Monday.

The platform can be accessed here: https://www.chp.gov.hk/ratp

Reports said that about three hours after it was launched, a queuing number of more than 240,000 was seen on the online platform. Despite this, the website was said to have run smoothly with the wait lasting no longer than a minute.

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Once the positive results from RAT are verified, it is expected that at least 150,000 additional cases will be added to the official tally which now stands at over 480,000 from the fifth wave alone.

RAT-positive patients are asked to register their personal details, including name, HKID number, phone number, address, vaccination dates, the date when they tested positive, occupation, company name, whether they have symptoms, and how many people are living with them.

They are also required to indicate if they live in crowded home conditions which would qualify them priority admission to isolation facilities, or if they belong to the high-risk categories which will could get them admitted to a hospital.

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After they have successfully submitted their declaration they will receive an SMS message which will give them a link to a site where they can upload supporting documents such as photos of their positive RAT result and HKID, and download isolation or quarantine orders.

First page of the online declaration form

At a press briefing earlier, Dr Edward Tsui, controller of the Centre for Health Protection, said they expected a huge number of people to visit the site as soon as it launched because the use of RAT had become very popular amid the surge in cases.

Tsui urged those who tested positive to make use of the platform so the government will have a better idea of how many cases there are in the community.

Aside from this, he said the platform will speed up support for confinees and facilitate the issuance of isolation orders for those who are staying at home.

But he said reporting RAT positive results through the platform is not mandatory.

He said the platform should first be used by those who tested positive on Mar 6 and 7 so help could be extended to them immediately.

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Those who got positive results from Feb 26 (when the government said all positive results from RAS were deemed confirmed) to Mar 5 have a week to report their cases.

“You don’t have to be too eager to report to us because you have one week to do so,” he said.

Despite the advice, thousands rushed to get their positive results registered, with many apparently anxious to be moved to isolation facilities where they could get a room to themselves and served three meals a day at no cost.

In addition, the registration will allow them to secure proof of their infection which they can use to apply for sick leave.

In the case of Filipino domestic workers, the record proof could also help them secure cash benefits from the Philippine government amounting to USD200.

Those who are unable to log onto the website may use the hotline, 1836 119 and enter their HKID number to an automated system. But Tsui cautioned the wait may be a lot longer so it is better to just use the online platform.

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Domestic helper may be the first Filipino to die of Covid-19 in Hong Kong

By Leo A. Deocadiz 

Magelyn Distor Handoy, 53.

A domestic helper from Capiz is probably the first Filipino to succumb to the coronavirus in Hong Kong when she died a few minutes after midnight on March 6 at Caritas Medical Center in Sham Shui Po.

The official cause of death of Magelyn Distor Handoy, 53, has not yet been released but Bebelynn Rendon, a sister in law who talked to her by phone a day before she died, said Handoy had difficulty breathing when she told her she had tested positive for Covid-19.

She also said that Handoy's employer told her that she died of Covid-19.

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One of Handoy’s nieces, Abby D. Michael, echoed Rendon’s observation: “Friday nag-usap pa tayo nhe sabi mo ok klang kahit ramdam ko na nahihirapan kana magsalita (Last Friday we even talked and you said you were okay, although I felt that you were already having difficulty talking).”

However, Consul General Raly Tejada said: "We shall await the official notification from the HK authorities to determine the official cause of death. We will be also meeting with the employer tomorrow. Consulate is now coordinating with the family in Panitan, Capiz."

Handoy had her second jab of the Sinovac vaccine last July.

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Handoy, who arrived in Hong Kong in 2011 and lived with her last employers in Sham Shui Po where she took care of their two daughters, is survived by her husband, Richard and daughter, Faith.

In his post on her Facebook page, Richard said in Ilonggo that while it was painful to lose her and difficult to accept it, there was nothing they could do. He asked that she guide them always.

“Isa na lang napangabay namon nga makapuli na di ikaw kag matagaan ka namon sang disente nga lubong (Our only wish is that you can come home here so we can give you a decent burial),” he added.

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Her Facebook page also received condolence messages from relatives and friends.

Rendon said Handoy first complained of pain in her gums because of a broken denture. She was taken  to a doctor who prescribed medicines to stop the swelling and infection.

She later complained of abdominal pains, but since she had a history of fatty liver, she was given dietary advice. But the pain continued and when her employer noticed that her belly was becoming larger, she was taken to hospital by ambulance on Feb. 26. 

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She was released the next day, Rendon said, but went to the house of her employer's mother to stay away from the children she was taking care of. 

On March 5, Congen Tejada said, Handoy was again taken to Caritas after complaining of breathing difficulties. "She subsequently tested positive for Covid-19," he said. 

Rendon said that she went to Caritas that morning to visit Handoy and bring her Anlene, a milk product to help her cope with fatty liver. But she wasn't allowed to see her sister-in-law as she had by then tested positive for Covid-19.

At 12:36 am on March 6, Handoy died. 

Tejada said: "She passed away... while undergoing treatment at the hospital’s emergency department."

Rendon said she was calling Handoy that morning but she was no longer answering. She contacted Handoy’s employer, who said the police had earlier informed her of the death.

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New Covid-19 cases dip to about 25K but deaths soar to 280

By Daisy CL Mandap

 

Many businesses have shut for the meantime amid fears of further spike in cases

Health officials reported a third consecutive drop in coronavirus cases Monday. A total of 25,150 confirmed cases were reported from PCR tests conducted by government and private laboratories, down nearly 6,000 from yesterday’s tally and by more than half since last week.

Of the total number, 32 were imported, and 35 arrived on board Garuda flight GA876 from Indonesia, prompting the two-week suspension of the flight.

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Hong Kong’s total infection figure from the fifth wave has now risen to 484,136.

At the same time, the Centre for Health Protection announced that a platform for reporting positive results from rapid antigen tests (RATs) would be launched today to give the government a better understanding of the extent of the infection in the city.

It is feared a big underreporting of cases has occurred because the reported daily figures announced by the government come only from PCR tests and do not include those from RATs which have been used extensively by residents for the past two weeks at least.

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Meanwhile, the positive outlook was dampened by a new record death toll from Covid-19.

The Hospital Authority’s Dr Sara Ho said 161 deaths were recorded in the past 24 hours alone, while an additional 119 cases that occurred a few days earlier were not added on time.

The 280 additional cases raised the city’s death toll from the fifth wave to 2,074.

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Ho also reported the deaths of two young girls early today, whose cases will be added to tomorrow’s tally. She said both girls had pre-existing health conditions and had a dose each of Sinovac vaccine last month.

The first girl who was 8, had thyroid issues and was taken to a private hospital with a fever and headache yesterday. A rapid test at the hospital showed she was positive for Covid-19 but she was just given medicines and was sent home.

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At 7am today her parents noticed her condition had worsened and had her rushed to Queen Mary Hospital by ambulance. She passed away at 8:28 this morning.

The second girl, aged four years old, had a congenital heart disease and was taken to Queen Mary at 2am this morning after she started vomiting. She had no heart beat when she arrived at the hospital but emergency staff managed to resuscitate her briefly. She was declared dead at 9:35am.

Among today’s 161 fatalities, 147 were aged 65 years old and above, and 96 came from care homes. 106 were males and 55 were females, aged 29 to 109.

Those who did not have any vaccine at all totaled 106, while 21 had a jab each, 13 had two doses and one had three doses.

Among the relatively young fatalities were: (1) a 29-year-old female whose cancer had metastasized; (2) a 36-year-old female who had a thyroid problem and collapsed at home on Mar 5. She had no heartbeat when she arrived at the hospital but was briefly revived; (3) a 45-year-old male who was undergoing dialysis; (4) a 49-year-old female who also had late-stage cancer.

The additional 119 fatalities were made up of 76 males and 43 females aged 50 to 101.

Ho said that of the 8,010 patients being treated in public hospitals 75 were in critical condition with 68 in ICU, while 106 are in serious condition.

Two doctors each from CHP and HA were at today's press briefing

Dr Albert Au of the Centre for Health Protection said a case analysis of the death toll from the fifth wave showed an overwhelming majority, or 94.8% of the patients were aged 65 and above.

An equally big number, or 90.6% were either not vaccinated at all, or had incomplete vaccination. The ratio rises to 93.1% for those aged 80 and above.

Au said that from the data, it could be seen that those who did not get vaccinated were 8 times more likely to die from Covid-19 than those who had been jabbed. The difference was more marked for those aged 80 and above.

He also reported that 18 more residential care homes have reported infections; 11 of them house elderly residents while seven cater to the disabled. Those who tested positive involved 69 residents and 43 staff.

A total of 673 elderly homes and 220 homes for the disabled have now been stricken with Covid-19. The number of infected residents has gone up to 14,700 while more than 4,000 staff have been affected.

CHP controller Dr Edwin Tsui reported that the long-awaited portal for registering positive results from RATs would be uploaded starting at 6pm today. The website address is www.chp.gov.hk/RATP.

He said reporting RAT results is not mandatory, but he was hoping people would sign up with the platform to help give the government a better idea of the extent of infection in the fifth wave.

Those who tested RAT-positive on Mar 6 and 7 are being encouraged to register their personal particulars and those living with them in the same household so they could be given immediate medical assistance if needed.

Those who tested positive between Feb 26 and Mar 5 are given a week to sign up and provide information.

Those who have difficulty accessing the website may also contact the hotline, 1839 119, and enter their HKID number through an automated system.

Since the number is expected to be busy given the thousands of people who would most likely try to gain access, online registration is being encouraged.

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Covid-19 patients may now apply to get into isolation facility directly

By The SUN

 

Makeshift isolation units in Tsing Yi will be opened to patients Monday (RTHK photo)

The Fire Services Department which runs ambulance services in the city has launched a new mechanism for Covid-19 patients with mild or no symptoms to instantly book a place in a community isolation facility through email, WhatsApp or WeChat messaging.

Previously, such patients could only be admitted to a CIF upon referral by health authorities. Most were merely told by SMS that they should isolate at home and wait for the Centre for Health Protection to contact them again.

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A government statement issued late Sunday night said priority would be given according to space availability and the applicant’s living environment (meaning, the place where the patient lives is unsuitable for isolation), medical condition “or other factors.”

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Secretary for Security Chris Tang told reporters ahead of the official announcement that bookings would be accepted immediately, and that he expected the first batch of people to be sent to the makeshift isolation facility in Tsing Yi on Monday.

Tang said that so far, 40% of the government’s isolation facilities are occupied. These include the one in Penny’s Bay, Lei Yue Mun holiday camp and hotels like Dorsett in Tsuen Wan and Regala Skycity in Tung Chung.

Inside one of the isolation units in Lei Yue Mun

Among the likely candidates for admission to the isolation units are foreign domestic helpers who have been thrown out of their employers’ flats after they tested positive for Covid-19 or those staying in temporary accommodations while processing new employment visas, are about to fly home, or are torture claimants fighting deportation.

Earlier in the day, Labour Secretary Law Chi-kwong wrote on his blog that the government was committed to protect the rights and interests of FDHs and would try its best to provide assistance to those who were terminated after contracting Covid-19 or those who no longer had employment contracts. 

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Patients who were tested positive for Covid-19 through (1) nucleic acid or PCR test (2) deep-throat saliva test or (3) rapid antigen test, have mild symptoms and can take care of themselves are qualified to apply for a place at a CIF.

Applications can be made through the following methods: (1) Email: fsd_cif@hkfsd.gov.hk; (2) WhatsApp: 5233 1833 (click the link below to send a message to HKFSD: https://wa.me/message/IGMQN56VPJVEF1) or (3) WeChat account: fsd_cif

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To facilitate the arrangement to the community isolation facility as soon as possible, the following information should be given:

Name (Chinese and English):
Age:
Gender:
ID number (e.g. A1234xxx):
Telephone number:
Residential address:
Testing method:
Date of positive test result:

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Covid-19 cases drop to 31,008 but 229 new deaths reported

By Daisy CL Mandap

 

Gloomy day in HK amid the continuing surge in infections

Health officials have reported 31,008 newly confirmed Covid-19 cases Sunday - the second consecutive day that the number had fallen back to above the 30-thousand mark - but cautioned against concluding that the fifth wave has eased.

Dr Albert Au of the Centre for Health Protection said the numbers tend to drop during the weekend because fewer people get tested, and a big number of people who test positive using rapid antigen test (RAT) kits are not yet being included in the official tally.

“Yes, for the past two days the number has come down but it’s still very high at more than 30,000 a day,” said Au. He said “we should observe it for a day or two more” before coming to any conclusion.

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Today’s infection rate pushed Hong Kong’s total Covid-19 tally to 458,986. Au had previously said about 150,000 more could be added from the positive results obtained from RATs.

Despite the lower infection figure, the number of deaths reported was higher than ever, however.

Dr Larry Lee reported a total of 229 deaths, with a record 153 patients comprising 96 males and 57 females aged between 35 to 105 years old, passing on within the past 24 hours alone. Most, or 140 of them, were aged 65 and above.

Among these patients, 114 had no vaccine jabs, 25 had one vaccine dose, 13 had two doses while 1 had three doses.

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Dr Lee said the patient who received a booster shot was an 81-year-old man living in Fung Yiu King Hospital for the elderly who previously had a stroke. He was suffering from Parkinson’s disease and high blood pressure.

The 76 additional deaths were recorded between Feb 24 and Mar 3. They were made up of 44 males and 32 females aged 24 to 105 years old.

According to Lee, the youngest fatality received two vaccine doses, with the second jab being administered in August last year.  He was found unconscious at home and was rushed to Tseung Kwan O Hospital where he was found to have an irregular heartbeat. Efforts to revive him failed and he died on Feb 28.

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In addition, Au reported four patients who died of Covid-19 but were not hospitalized. They comprised two males and two females who died between Feb 23 and Feb 28.

The death toll from the fifth wave has now gone up to 1,794, representing 0.39% of all infections. The fatalities are made up of 1,103 males and 691 females, aged 11 months to 108 years old.

A big percentage (94.5%) of all deaths involved patients who were aged 60 and above, although four were kids below 10 years old. Well over half, or 68.4%, were aged 80 and above.

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More than 1,500 had chronic illnesses while more than 1,000 lived in care homes.

According to Au, 94 additional residential care homes reported Covid-19 outbreaks, 73 of them involving homes for the elderly, while the remaining 21 were facilities for the disabled.

In the latest outbreak, 694 residents were reportedly affected as well as 150 staff.

So far, 662 residential care homes, or 83% of the total, have experienced outbreaks affecting both residents and staff.  

The Department of Health has mobilized medical teams to visit the facilities and administer vaccines to those who have yet to get vaccinated to protect them from the coronavirus.

Lee says 8,827 hospital staff have been infected with Covid-19

As for public hospital staff, Lee said a total of 8,827 have so far tested positive for Covid-19. Around 1,341 of them have already returned to work.

Meanwhile, a total of 7,778 patients are being treated in public hospitals while around 2,000 others with mild symptoms are at the Penny’s Bay isolation facility.

Fifty-seven of those in hospital are in critical condition, 42 of whom received no vaccination. A further 123 patients are in serious condition, including 79 who were not vaccinated.

Au again said there was no new information as to when the online platform for reporting positive RAT results would be set up. But the public will be informed immediately when it becomes available.

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HK labor secretary warns ill-treating sick FDHs could become diplomatic issue

 

Secretary Law inspects the isolation facility at Kai Tak

Hong Kong’s labor secretary today warned local employers who terminate foreign domestic helpers or kick them out of the house after testing positive for Covid-19, that their illegal behavior will have long-lasting effects not just on themselves but on the rest of society.

 “Any abuse of FDHs or unlawful and unreasonable dismissal of FDHs by a small number of employers seen recently will damage Hong Kong's FDH policy and Hong Kong's reputation,” said Secretary for Labour and Welfare Law Chi-kwong.

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Law made the statements in a blog entitled, “Be kind to foreign domestic helpers, respect yourself and others,” originally published in Chinese.

“Although the employers concerned may be prosecuted and criminally liable, they will not be allowed to employ foreign domestic helpers in the future. What’s more, all Hong Kong families who want to hire foreign domestic helpers in the future may be negatively affected, which will increase the difficulty of employment,’ he added.

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News reports of ill-treatment of FDHs have also become “an issue of Hong Kong's external affairs,” he said.

“These reports certainly aroused the concern and dissatisfaction of the compatriots in the motherland of the foreign domestic workers, and their government naturally had to fulfill its responsibility to protect the citizens and speak out for them,” Law said.

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That is why Law has written to Consul General General Raly Tejada to assure “that we will continue and closely follow up in any complaint or case relating to illegal dismissal of FDHs suffering from Covid-19.”

In that letter, Law reiterated “the SAR Government’s determination to protect the rights and interests of foreign domestic helpers and to try our best to provide assistance to them, so as to prevent the incident from turning into a diplomatic incident.”

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This incudes those who contracted Covid-19 but have no place to stay because they have no employment contracts. 

"In spite of the acute shortage locally of isolation facilities during the current wave of outbreaks, we have managed to find accommodation for these FDHs in such facilities," he added.