HK finds eight more Omicron cases

Hong Kong confirmed eight more Omicron coronavirus cases on Tuesday, as the government steps up infection control measures at quarantine hotels to prevent the variant from entering the community.

The cases were reported on Sunday and Monday, and latest genome sequencing indicated they were infected with the variant.

The Centre for Health Protection said in view of the increasing risks posed by the variant, if an Omicron case is detected at a quarantine hotel, people who stay in rooms adjacent and opposite to the room of the patient will be asked to get tested for Covid-19 daily for seven days

If the travellers have already completed compulsory quarantine at the hotel, they will be put under surveillance for seven more days, meaning they’ll be subject to additional testing in the community and be asked to avoid gatherings during this period.

The centre has also reminded quarantine hotels to enhance ventilation and conduct thorough disinfection of the rooms.

The city has so far reported 27 Omicron cases.