Covid infection at RTHK sends over 20 to quarantine

Health officials say at least 26 people whom an infected RTHK hair stylist had worked with, will be sent to quarantine.

The 35-year-old man is among 12 new Covid-19 cases reported on Sunday – ten of which were locally acquired.

Three of the infections were untraceable.

Dr Albert Au from the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) said all of those whom the hair stylist had served, or worked alongside with, would be considered close contacts.

He explained that the environment of the makeup room that the stylist had worked in, along with the equipment he’d used, could facilitate the spread of the virus.

“The case worked in a powder room which was around 300 to 400 square feet. The room can accommodate up to 20 to 30 people so it is quite a crowded environment. During his work, he will make up hair for the guests and the performers. And also, he will use hair dryer and aerosol gel spray,” he said.

“This is a prudent approach because we have previously recorded an outbreak in a similar setting in a salon and spa affecting both customers and staff members.”

One of those put under quarantine is senior counsel Audrey Eu, who announced on her Facebook page that she’s been identified as a close contact of the RTHK hair stylist.

As a result, the former Civic Party chairwoman she said she would not be able to represent Apple Daily founder Jimmy Lai at a court hearing on Tuesday, and would be replaced by another senior counsel, Edwin Choy.

Eu said she was at the public broadcaster last Wednesday for a pre-recorded programme, adding that she was attended by the infected stylist for around five minutes.

Meanwhile, the two other cases which cannot be traced involve a 46-year-old asylum seeker who lives in To Kwa Wan, as well as a 32-year-old woman who works in Yuen Long and lives in Kwai Chung.

Investigations and testing are also continuing at the Mirador Mansion in Tsim Sha Tsui, after four residents living in three units came down with the virus.

Despite a drop in local infections, the undersecretary for health, Chui Tak-yi, urged people to remain vigilant, saying there is still a chance that the number of cases may rebound.

“The number of new confirmed local cases remained in the low double-digit for a while. But of course, the situation may always change”, he said, adding that social distancing measures can only be further relaxed if the number of new infections remain persistently low.
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Last updated: 2021-02-14 HKT 21:15