Calls for more infection control amid variant cases

Health experts have called on authorities to step up infection control measures to prevent the mutated Covid strains from spreading in the SAR, after the third N501Y infection in the community was recorded on Friday.

Professor Ivan Hung, co-convenor of an expert panel assessing clinical events following Covid-19 vaccination, said on Saturday that the Filipina helper probably got infected with the variant strain during her quarantine period in the Ramada Harbour View Hotel in Sai Ying Pun.

He said on a Commercial Radio programme that people being quarantined should be given additional tests after the quarantine period.

The University of Hong Kong professor said the administration also has to ensure bar entry to the SAR from places which have massive outbreaks.

HKU public health professor Leo Poon echoed Hung’s views, saying the current variants have been detected at an early stage, but the government can’t let its guard down.

“CHP has already identified the close contacts [of variant cases], and tried to quarantine them as many as possible, so I think they have done a good job to try to prevent the spreading of the disease… so now I personally think the risk is low,” he told RTHK.

“But… so many countries now have this variant of concern, and [their people] continue to come to Hong Kong, so we have to be alert.”

He added that people being quarantined in hotels should wear masks in the corridors, and keep windows closed to prevent airborne transmission of the virus.

Yuen Pak-leung, who chairs the government’s panel on improving ventilation in restaurants, meanwhile said hotels could install air purifiers in the corridors.