People wearing masks cross the road in Hong Kong, April 10, 2021. (LI GANG/XINHUA)
HONG KONG – Hong Kong reported three new local coronavirus cases on Saturday, one of which was untraceable and involved the N501Y mutant virus strain, bringing the overall infection tally in the city to 11,730.
The authorities on Friday quarantined about 60 residents of Kennedy Terrace, where the patient carrying the mutant strain resided in Mid-Levels.
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As the variant – first detected in South Africa – is highly transmissible, health authorities "decided to carry out prudent measures" to arrange compulsory quarantine for all asymptomatic residents of the building concerned, the government said in a release issued late Friday.
The two other cases reported on Saturday involved a 38-year-old man who lives in Tseung Kwan O and a three-year-old boy who resides in Kwai Chung. Both cases were linked to previous infections
The Centre for Health Protection "will transfer asymptomatic residents to quarantine centers while residents who have developed symptoms will be sent to the hospital for treatment." They will undergo compulsory quarantine for 21 days, the government said.
The patient – a 38-year-old domestic helper – flew to the city from the Philippines on March 27 and returned to her employer’s home on April 17 after finishing mandatory quarantine at Ramada Hong Kong Harbour View in Sai Ying Pun. She stayed on the sixth floor of the hotel.
Those who stayed on the same floor with the helper in the hotel between April 4 and 7 will be quarantined for 21 days. Others who were at the hotel between March 27 and April 23 will be subject to mandatory tests, the government said.
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The two other cases reported on Saturday involved a 38-year-old man who lives in Tseung Kwan O and a three-year-old boy who resides in Kwai Chung. Both cases were linked to previous infections, according to a separate government press release.
According to the Hospital Authority, a total of 148 confirmed patients are currently receiving treatment in 18 public hospitals and the North Lantau Hospital Hong Kong Infection Control Centre, including three patients in critical condition.