Eight new coronavirus cases reported in Hong Kong amid growing clusters of infections, five-star hotel closes
- Top health official warns of a ‘significant rebound’ in the local epidemic as authorities widen coronavirus testing
- The Royal Garden in Tsim Sha Tsui evacuates all guests and closes for deep cleaning
Undersecretary for Food and Health Dr Chui Tak-yi confirmed eight new cases as he warned of a “significant rebound”, citing a 10-day run of infections of unknown origin since September 30.
“There are invisible chains of transmission in the community. It’s an alarm signal,” he told a regular press briefing. “Their footprints are widespread, involving many buildings and districts.”
To stem an expanding outbreak in bars, Chui said the government would operate a mobile testing centre in Lan Kwai Fong, a popular entertainment district in Central, on Friday night, and encourage workers there to get tested. There would be similar arrangements in the bar districts in Tsim Sha Tsui and Wan Chai on Saturday and Sunday respectively, he added.
He said the government had been trying to offer “more flexible and innovative measures” to encourage people to come forward for testing, and believed the mobile service would help.
