(Fighting New Coronary Pneumonia) Hong Kong Adds 22 Confirmed Cases, Gym Group Soars to Over 50 People Infected
China News Service, Hong Kong, March 11 (Reporter Han Xingtong) On March 11, 22 new cases of new coronary pneumonia were confirmed in Hong Kong, of which 16 were local-related cases, all of which were involved in a recent outbreak in Xiying Pun In the gym group of Ursus Fitness, there are more than 30 people in this group who have been initially diagnosed. The cumulative number of confirmed and initial diagnoses has soared to more than 50, and more than 240 people are subject to compulsory quarantine.
The picture shows the K11 MUSEA shopping mall in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, where employees and tenants undergo testing.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Li Zhihua
The 22 new confirmed cases involved 11 men and 11 women, aged between 19 and 65.
Of all the cases, 3 were imported cases, including one person with the variant virus N501Y. So far, 68 cases have been found with the variant virus.
Of the 19 local cases, with the exception of 3 cases whose source is unknown, 16 related cases are all related to the Ursus Fitness gym where the epidemic broke out recently, involving 6 employees and 10 customers.
A total of 17 people have been diagnosed in this group, including 7 employees and 10 customers.
Zhang Zhujun, director of the Infectious Diseases Division of the Center for Health Protection of the Department of Health of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, said that of the 40 cases initially confirmed that day, more than 30 belonged to the gym group.
Taking into account the initial diagnosis, more than 50 people in this group have been infected.
Zhang Zhujun said that when the first confirmed case occurred in the gym, the SAR government had required the gym to be closed and the staff must be tested for the virus.
She revealed that between March 1 and 9, more than 240 customers have visited the gym, and they will all be listed as close contacts and subject to compulsory quarantine.
The Deputy Director of the Food and Health Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, Xu Deyi, attended the press conference that day and said that the Special Administrative Region Government is very concerned about the large-scale group infection in the gym and will carefully review whether the next round of social distancing measures (including measures for designated premises) needs to be tightened. It will be announced at that time.
In addition, 4 confirmed patients had eaten at the "Sea Food Seafood Steak Restaurant" in Causeway Bay earlier. An additional 1 person was diagnosed in this group, and a total of 5 people were involved.
Zhang Zhujun said that the five confirmed patients were sitting on four adjacent tables.
Yu Huiling, Chief Administrative Manager (Medical Effectiveness and Technology Management) of the Hong Kong Hospital Authority, informed that as of 9 am, in the past 24 hours, another 20 confirmed patients had recovered and discharged. So far, a total of 10,694 confirmed patients have recovered and discharged, and there are still 200 patients. Of the confirmed patients, 13 were in critical condition, 12 were in serious condition, and the rest were in stable condition. (Finish)