HK investigates 2 re-positive cases, virus-tainted parcel from China

By The SUN 

The Chai Wan estate where the Indonesian helper lives, has been put under compulsory testing notice

Hong Kong health authorities have reported two suspected cases of re-positive cases, involving a foreign domestic worker from Indonesia and a male returnee from Singapore, both of whom were confirmed to have Covid-19 earlier.

In a statement issued today, the Centre for Health Protection said the 29-year-old Indonesian helper arrived in Hong Kong on Oct 15 via CX798. She tested negative on arrival and all the tests conducted during her 21-day quarantine.

She then returned to her employer’s residence at New Jade Garden in Chai Wan.

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On Nov 15 she underwent compulsory testing in line with protocols, and the result was indeterminate. However, after being sent to hospital, she tested positive with a low viral load.

She told investigators she received two doses of Sinovac vaccine in Indonesia in July and August, but was found positive for Covid-19 in a test on Oct 13. A confirmatory test the next day had a negative result.

After being told that the helper had visited Immigration Tower on Nov 5 to apply for a smart ID card, the office immediately ordered the thorough disinfection of the 8^th floor of the building and for staff there to get tested.

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Residents of New Jade Garden were also told to undergo compulsory testing by tomorrow as a precaution.

The other case involves a 65-year-old male who arrived in Hong Kong on Oct 28 from Singapore, aboard flight SQ882. He tested negative on arrival and on all four tests conducted during his 14-day quarantine.

On Nov 10 he returned to his residence at Tower 3, Ocean Court in Aberdeen. He then went for another compulsory test on Nov 15 and tested positive for Covid-19 with the L452R mutant strain.

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According to the patient he was fully vaccinated with Moderna in Singapore on Apr 1 and 29. On Oct 14 he tested positive for Covid-19 but negative in a confirmatory test on Oct 26, both in Singapore.

Separately, the CHP reported the case of coronavirus being found on the outer cover of a parcel sent from Inner Mongolia on Nov 7 and reached the recipient in Hong Kong on Nov 13.

The tainted parcel was reportedly ordered through Tao Bao and sent from Inner Mongolia (File)

Media reports said the clothing items in the parcel were ordered through the popular Chinese online marketplace, Tao Bao. Samples taken from the parcels before being shipped out tested positive after they had reached the buyer.

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“In general, the Covid-19 virus cannot survive over a few days under a non-chilled environment, therefore the possibility of the concerned package carrying a transmissible live virus after arriving Hong Kong is relatively low,” said CHP.

But as a precaution, it ordered the recipient to undergo compulsory testing, as well as the operators of the local logistics company that handled the parcel.

Three new confirmed cases were reported today, taking the number of infections in Hong Kong to 12,291.

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Two of the patients originated from Pakistan, but stopped over at two different airports. A 21-year-old man flew in via United Arab Emirates via EK 385, while a 45-year-old man came via Turkey on flight TK083.

The younger man tested positive on arrival, while the other was found infected while at Penny’s Bay quarantine centre. He was moved there after two family members who flew in with him tested positive earlier.

The third case involves a 35-year-old woman who came from Korea on Nov 13 and tested positive while on her third day in quarantine at Kerry Hotel.

CHP also announced that flight AI1314 from India has been suspended for two weeks starting today after one of its passengers on Nov 14 tested positive on arrival test, while one failed to comply with pre-boarding requirements.

The ban will last until Nov 30.

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