Probe into virus transmission in Lan Kwai Fong

Hong Kong's health authorities said on Thursday they're investigating possible transmissions of the novel coronavirus at Lan Kwai Fong after six infections were linked to the popular nightlife hub in Central in the past two days.

A total of 16 new confirmed cases of the disease were recorded on Thursday — the second-highest daily increase since January — pushing the tally to 208.

Most of the 11 males and five females, aged between 19 and 51, have had a record of overseas travel, having visited North America or West Europe during their incubation periods.

However, two cases showed no travel history during the 14-day incubation period, including two 29-year-old men, both of whom had gone to a gym run by Pure Group in Lan Kwai Fong in mid-March.

Three of the latest confirmed cases on Wednesday and one preliminarily positive case on Thursday have had no recent travel record, but had visited bars and restaurants in Lan Kwai Fong.

Chuang Shuk-kwan, head of the Communicable Disease Branch at the Centre for Health Protection, told a daily press briefing on Thursday that they're investigating whether transmission of the virus had occurred at one of the city's most popular nightlife spots.

She warned that the risk of cross-infection at dinners and drink gatherings is high as people do not normally wear face masks.

Noting that the average age of those infected is younger than in previous cases, Chuang said it's because recent imported cases involved people on business trips or studying overseas. Young people also enjoy social gatherings, which could result in community transmissions, she added.

Members of the public, especially young people, should avoid going to bars and restaurants as the risk of a community outbreak has increased greatly with the sharp rise in the number of imported cases, Chuang warned.

In addition, one confirmed case was a 32-year-old woman who is 16 weeks pregnant. The patient — the city's first pregnant woman to be infected — was in Italy and Dubai during the incubation period. She was hospitalized and is in stable condition.

Under Secretary for Food and Health Chui Tak-yi said the growing number of people returning from overseas has put tremendous pressure on the city's medical system. He called for concerted efforts by the public, such as practicing social distancing and personal hygiene, to ease the pressure.

Chui urged those with symptoms while they're still abroad to seek treatment and avoid returning to Hong Kong.

Starting from Thursday, all people arriving in Hong Kong from overseas are subject to a mandatory 14-day home quarantine.

As well, according to a press release of the Hospital Authority, inbound travelers with symptoms of upper respiratory infection will be sent to the temporary test centers at the AsiaWorld-Expo or North Lantau Hospital near the airport for virus tests from Friday. People awaiting the results need to stay at designated individual waiting areas, with internet access and charging facilities. It will take about a half day to one day.

To locate asymptomatic virus carriers, the SAR government has also started distributing specimen containers at the airport to passengers aged 65 or above, who are considered to have a high risk of infection, or those living with elderly people, to have their deep throat saliva samples collected at home.

Their family members or friends can deliver the samples to 13 designated clinics for virus tests.

As of Thursday, three more patients were discharged from hospitals, taking the number of people who have recovered to 97.