Hong Kong’s five-day streak without any new COVID-19 infections has ended after two residents who returned from Pakistan were confirmed to have the virus, bringing the city’s total number of cases up to 1040.
Both patients were evacuated from Pakistan on charter flight PK8871, which landed at Hong Kong International Airport at 7pm last night. During a press conference this afternoon, the Center for Health Protection’s head of Communicable Diseases Dr Chuang Shuk-kwan said that the cases involved a 34-year-old man and a 16-year-old girl, both of whom were asymptomatic.
The man — Case 1039 — was traveling alone and was staying with his parents in Pakistan before returning to Hong Kong. He told health officials that he didn’t believe he had come into contact with anyone who had the virus.
Case 1040 involves a 16-year-old female student who was traveling with her older brothers. The group was visiting their relatives in Pakistan before they returned to Hong Kong.
All 319 passengers on flight PK8871 were tested for the virus at AsiaWorld-Expo and taken directly to the quarantine facility at Chun Yeung Estate while they awaited their results. The CHP is making arrangements to take the patients to hospital for treatment and observation.
While discussing the recent drop in local infections, Chuang said that the city was starting to get a handle on local transmissions, but stressed that “the danger is not over yet”. The doctor further stated that the CHP expected to see more imported cases, as Hongkongers who are stranded abroad slowly make their way back. “What we hope to do is prevent any of these cases from spreading to the community,” she said.
A total of 2,000 Hongkongers are trying to return from Pakistan, while a further 3,200 residents are stranded in India, according to the Immigration Department. All passengers on yesterday’s flight, which was arranged by the Immigration Department, paid about HKD6,000 each for their seats.
Related stories:
As Hong Kong’s COVID-19 count holds steady, thousands flock to Cheung Chau
