Hong Kong reports 2 more COVID-19 cases

APD NEWS

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Hong Kong reported two more COVID-19 patients on Thursday, both linked to a Buddhist temple that had been suspected of multiple other infections, bringing the total confirmed cases to 93.

The first case involved a 70-year-old woman, who frequently visited the Buddhist worship hall in North Point, Hong Kong Island, from late January to early February, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government said.

Her son who lives with her has been sent to hospital after presenting symptoms, and her daughter-in-law and grandson with no symptoms will be put in quarantine.

The other case involved an 89-year-old woman who had also been to the worship hall for times.

There have been altogether 14 COVID-19 patients who are visitors to the worship place or their contacts. The surface of Buddhist books, cushions and taps there were tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

The worship hall has been closed and the government has contacted 221 people related to the place, with more than 20 in hospital, 35 in quarantine and the others under medical surveillance.

The CHP urged those who also visited there after Jan. 25 to call its hotline and warned against large gatherings.

According to Hong Kong's Hospital Authority, out of all the confirmed COVID-19 cases in Hong Kong, two patients have passed away, 65 are hospitalized, and 26 have been discharged from the hospital upon recovery.