There are 16 new confirmed cases in Hong Kong today, 7 of which are related to local confirmed cases, and more than 10 preliminary confirmed cases, at least 10 of which are related to local cases. Zhang Zhujun, director of the Infectious Diseases Division of the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health, pointed out that the current epidemic has reached a severe level. There are two local cases of unknown origin, and there is concern regarding the increased risk of invisible transmission in the community, especially in Mei Foo and Sham Shui Po. The authorities believe that there is a chain of community transmission. The chances are high, and we appeal to local residents and those who go to work in the local area to receive community testing as soon as possible. Eight testing facilities have been added in Sham Shui Po District.
The epidemic has spread to the middle school. Another teacher at the Delia Memorial School (Broadway) in Mei Foo was initially positive today. Three schools in the school have been infected with the virus recently. It is possible that the virus of an infected person can be spread during exams in schools. In addition, a Secondary 6 student from St. Joseph’s English Secondary School was also initially diagnosed, and the school will suspend face-to-face classes from tomorrow.
The government’s decision to cull hamsters has sparked heated discussions in the city. Government expert consultant Xu Shuchang believes that the infection of the female clerks and customers of the Little Boss pet store in Causeway Bay is “highly likely to be transmitted from hamsters to humans.” He estimated that the hamsters had been infected before they arrived in Hong Kong. The female clerk may have been infected by exposure to hamster secretions, which Xu Shuchang believes is the first case in the world.
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