Coronavirus: sample contamination at Hong Kong Covid-19 testing lab could explain high number of positive results in single day, expert says
- University of Hong Kong microbiologist Professor Yuen Kwok-yung reveals his findings after an inspection of testing firm BGI’s facility on Thursday evening
- Around 30 kindergarten pupils to be quarantined after their teacher is confirmed as one of two local Covid-19 cases
University of Hong Kong microbiologist Professor Yuen Kwok-yung revealed his findings after an inspection of testing firm BGI’s facility on Thursday evening, after the company earlier reported 30 preliminary-positive cases in a day.
It is not the first time the mainland-backed contractor has been embroiled in controversy over tests. But it was not immediately known whether the lab had violated any protocols in the incident.
Earlier in the day, health officials also revealed around 30 kindergarten pupils would be quarantined after their teacher was confirmed as one of two local Covid-19 cases. The city also recorded 12 new imported cases.
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Dr Albert Au Ka-wing of the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) said it was “a bit unusual” that 30 positive cases were detected by a single lab on the same day. As a precaution, health authorities would treat them like confirmed cases and send the patients’ close contacts to quarantine centres.
They also recommended schools and workplaces of those who tested positive to temporarily close and for people to undergo testing.