Coronavirus: Hong Kong public hospitals to require day-ward patients to undergo testing; 32 new cases confirmed

The fresh measures were aimed at preventing the spread of the disease after two facilities were hit with outbreaks, authorities said on Tuesday, as they revealed 32 new cases. Four people tied to the cluster at Princess Margaret Hospital Kwai Chung, who earlier tested preliminary positive, were confirmed as infected, taking the number of cases to five. Officials are also trying to contain outbreaks at several housing estates and ordered residents of three more buildings to undergo screening.

“We see the epidemic in the community remains severe,” said Dr Linda Yu Wai-ling, chief manager at the Hospital Authority, following a meeting of the organisation’s senior officials. “We believe these additional measures can strengthen our infection control in hospitals.”

Beginning later this week, day-ward patients would need to take a test one or two days before being admitted and people requiring regular procedures, such as haemodialysis patients, would be asked to undergo screening every week, Yu said. Food services for day wards would also be restricted, with only light meals provided.

Officials also discussed introducing regular testing for all Hospital Authority staff and giving priority to those caring for vulnerable patients, such as elderly home residents and oncology patients. Thousands of workers could fall into the category, Yu estimated.

“The demand for tests is high, so apart from our own testing service, we don’t rule out asking other private contractors to help too,” she said.

Authorities earlier ordered anyone who had visited the day ward at Princess Margaret between December 28 and Sunday to undergo screening. So far, three patients and two staff have been confirmed as carrying the virus.

A cluster at United Christian Hospital at Kwun Tong has grown to involve 21 patients and staff.