HK sees only 1 new COVID-19 case, fewest in 38 days

HONG KONG – Hong Kong recorded just one new COVID-19 case on Thursday, the lowest daily count since March 9, bringing the local tally to 1,017.

The lone case – a 19-year-old student who returned from the United Kingdom on April 1 – came as the city maintained a single-digit daily infection trend for five days in a row.

Chuang Shuk-kwan of Centre for Health Protection cautioned the figures may not reflect possible local transmission over the Easter holiday, adding that zero local infection during a four-week span means the outbreak has been controlled. She stressed that social distancing measures must be continued in view of the global pandemic situation.

The city reported the first coronavirus infection on Jan 23. The curve peaked at 65 on March 25 and saw a steady decline recently.

The latest patient was confirmed to be infected with the deadly virus after finishing a 14-day mandatory quarantine. She started quarantine at a hotel upon her return to the city.

The student developed a fever on Wednesday and then tested positive for the virus, said Chuang.

Two days ago, a 22-year-old student who also had returned from the UK was also confirmed to be infected following mandatory quarantine.

The Hospital Authority said nine patients remained in critical condition, while another 26 had been discharged in the past 24 hours.