A 43-year-old Pakistani woman who was cross-infected and infected with the variant virus Omicron at Silka Seaview Hotel in Yau Ma Tei was suspected of not testing positive until the latter part of the quarantine period and returned to the community, detonating the infection cluster and continuing to expand.
The CHP estimated that the two sons of the Pakistani woman who were also infected with the virus were suspected to be infected with a female kindergarten teacher, and the three entered and exited at the entrance A of Mei Foo MRT Station at similar times when they were working or going to school, with a difference of about 9 seconds. met in a tunnel.
Respiratory specialist Liang Zichao believes that if the ventilation of the tunnel is poor, there is indeed the possibility of air transmission. Because two students excrete the virus at the same time, and the tunnel environment is relatively closed and the distance is long, the air with the virus may be more difficult to dissipate. .
However, he emphasized that it is still necessary to pay attention to whether the female teacher has closer contact with the case.
To go to Exit A of Mei Foo MRT Station, you have to go through a long tunnel first.
A female kindergarten teacher was suspected of having met two infected students in the tunnel and was infected.
(Photo by Liang Sixing)
Respiratory specialist Liang Zichao believes that if the tunnel is poorly ventilated, there is indeed the possibility of airborne transmission.
He explained that because the tunnel environment is relatively airtight, when it was built, the ventilation specifications may not be the same as those in high-risk places such as hospitals, and may only be sufficient to cope with the required flow of people. "The ventilation rate may not be particularly good." It may not completely dissipate within two minutes.
Liang Zichao: Masks can reduce the risk of infection by 4 points and 3
For all three people to wear masks, Liang Zichao said that masks can help reduce the risk of infection by three-quarters.
However, two patients had passed through the tunnel, and the distance of the tunnel was long, and the amount of virus discharged was high.
However, Liang said there are still opportunities for other reasons, such as involving more direct, close contact.
Respiratory specialist Liang Zichao believes that if the tunnel is poorly ventilated, there is indeed the possibility of airborne transmission.
(file picture)
The epidemic is close to getting out of control
In addition, an earlier case was suspected to be spread about 20 meters apart in Victoria Park.
Liang Zichao believes that the risk of this tunnel is far higher than that of the last Victoria Park case. "This time, after going out and entering, after (the patient) walks, the air in the tunnel may not dissipate." On the contrary, the Victoria Park cases were 20 meters apart at that time. In addition, the place is open and the location is outdoors, and the degree of air dilution is extremely high, so the chance of infection is low.
Liang described that the current epidemic is on the verge of getting out of control. In order to reduce the flow of people, it is suggested that companies should arrange "work from home", and at the same time, they should tighten social distancing measures and strengthen testing.
Citizens sigh "there is no escape"
Ms. Zhou, who lives nearby, said that she noticed the recent outbreak of the epidemic at Sister Delia Memorial School (Broadway), so she would avoid visiting and appearing near the school. Regarding the suspected transmission in the subway tunnel, she admitted that she had no choice but to do personal disinfection.
In addition, some residents said that they had received two injections, and that they mainly rely on buses to get in and out, so they were "not surprised."
Mr. Chen, who works nearby, said that although he lives in Tin Shui Wai, his work place is in Mei Foo, so there is "no way to avoid it".
On January 19, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department went to pet stores in Hong Kong to kill hamsters
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It is expected that the three people who met in the tunnel were separated by 9 seconds
A 26-year-old female teacher (#13072) of Quarry Bay School Kindergarten (King Hao School) was previously infected and was listed as a case of unknown origin at that time.
The Centre for Health Protection said today that the full genetic analysis of female teachers is 100% the same as that of Pakistani women (#13045), so they are included in the relevant group.
The Center for Health Protection said today that after tracking, it was found that the female teacher took the subway to work, while the two sons (#13067, #13069) of the Pakistani woman who were also infected with the virus also took the subway to school every day.
On January 14, the three entered and exited at Exit A of Mei Foo Station at similar times. "One went in and the other went out." The difference was only 9 seconds, so they had a chance to meet in the tunnel inside the subway station.
However, there are iron bars in the middle of the tunnel, so the teachers did not meet them at close range, nor did they have direct contact with them, and they wore masks.
Epidemic ｜ Neighbors complained that someone was throwing paper towels to spread the virus: I don’t know what they have wiped. Gene sequence is not the same, Zhujun: There is a big chance of animal-to-human transmission. Zhang Zhujun is suspected of being a female teacher in Mei Foo subway station. She was recruited with the same virus gene for 9 seconds in the same scene as the patient. check