Published: 16:56, October 13, 2020 | Updated: 14:42, June 5, 2023
HK reports 8 new cases, virus curbs extended for another week
By Wang Zhan

A shopkeeper arranges shoes at his shop in Hong Kong, July 22, 2020. (PARKER ZHENG/CHINA DAILY)

HONG KONG - Hong Kong saw eight new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, including two local infections of unknown origin, as the government extended current social distancing measures for another week to Oct 22.

In a statement issued on Tuesday afternoon, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) said four of the new cases were local infections while the rest were imported cases.

In a statement issued on Tuesday afternoon, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) said four of the new cases were local infections while the rest were imported cases

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One of the local cases of unknown origin involved a 68-year-old man who developed fever on Oct 5. He consulted a private doctor on Oct 5 and 8 and then sought medical treatment at the Tseung Kwan O Hospital on Sunday, the CHP said.

It said the man’s family member, 32, who lived with him, was also classified as a new locally transmitted case on Tuesday. 

The other case with unknown origin was that of a 48-year-old man who lived in Ngau Tau Kok and who developed a fever on Saturday. He sought medical treatment at the United Christian Hospital on Sunday and submitted a saliva sample the following day. He is employed at Cityplaza One and last reported for work on Friday, the CHP said. 

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It added that the four imported cases were from France, Germany, the Philippines and India.

The new cases pushed the city’s overall infection tally to 5,201.

In a separate statement, the government announced to extend the city’s current social distancing measures until Oct 22, including a ban on public gatherings of more than four people and a curb on dine-in service at local restaurants between 12 am to 5 am.

Meanwhile, the Leisure & Cultural Services Department (LCSD) said the Cultural Centre's Auditoria Building and Concert Hall in Tsim Sha Tsui will be temporarily closed after a musician who performed at the Concert Hall has preliminarily tested positive for COVID-19. 

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In a statement issued on Tuesday evening, the LCSD said the performer last played at the centre on October 10 and made no contact with the public during the performances.

He underwent a temperature check when entering the Cultural Centre and his body temperature was normal, the LCSD said. 

The department also said that it will arrange for a thorough cleansing and sterilization at the venues according to CHP guidelines.

The Auditoria Building will reopen on October 16 and the Concert Hall on October 25, the LCSD added.