DDHK.ORG - The Omicron variant of the corona virus continues to spread at Kwai Chung Estate, the largest public housing complex in the Kwai Tsing District, New Territories. In this residential area of 16 residential buildings the Omicron outbreak extends to more blocks. Allegedly, with the currently detected clusters, there are more than 210 infections.
On Monday (24/1/2022), the Hong Kong Health Authority reported an additional 69 new Covid patients, 27 of them linked to Yat Kwai House and 33 to Ying Kwai House. Both are in the Kwai Chung Estate area and are being locked down for 5 days. In addition, there are also 9 new infections associated with 8 other blocks in the Estate.
During the press conference, Dr Chuang Shuk-kwan from the Center for Health Protection was asked about whether the lockdown at Kwai Chung Estate should be extended. This is because cases have also emerged in places where the infected residents of Kwai Chung Estate work or visit. For example, the outbreak at a construction site on Victory Avenue in Mong Kok. So far, at least 9 workers there are infected.
Dr Chuang replied: "Whether to extend the lockdown period, I think it will depend on the trend of cases in the coming days."
“For each case we will trace their close contacts and put the places they visited under mandatory test notices, to check and detect early if there is any spread. Of course we fear that for each case there is the possibility of further spread, especially with the highly contagious Omicron," he said.
Residents in Wong Tai Sin are advised to undergo a Covid-19 test
Corona also threatens in several other locations in Hong Kong. In this regard, the health authorities also asked Wong Tai Sin residents to be tested for Covid-19 after the discovery of the Delta and Omicron variants in the waste samples there.
Three initial confirmed positive cases were also found in Block 1 of Tropicana Gardens. All patients live in unit E and 1 of them is thought to have recently purchased a hamster. As is well known, hamsters were involved in previous outbreaks.
“Because of the waste issue… and now we have found some cases with alleged Delta. So we urge residents or those who work in Wong Tai Sin district to come for voluntary testing as soon as possible," said Dr Chuang.
In addition, Hong Kong authorities also suspect that a vertical transmission has occurred at Fu Keung House on the Tai Wo Hau Estate. Hong Kong recorded 109 new cases of Covid-19 on Monday. as many as 98 of them are local infections.
Five of the new infections could not be traced, including a student from King George V School in Ho Man Tin who lives in Tung Chung. Also, a 53 year old woman who lives in Kwai Fong Estate and recently visited Kwai Fong Plaza and Metroplaza. [Source: RTHK] [DDHKNews]
