Hong Kong authorities confined for five days some 3,000 people from a block of flats, they reported Friday, as they struggle to stop an outbreak of the new Omicron variant.
The lockdown order comes as Hong Kong adheres more strongly to China’s “Covid zero” strategy.
At least 20 confirmed or preliminary positive cases have been detected in a public housing block in the Kwai Chung neighborhood, Health Chief Sophia Chan said.
“It is clear that there is an outbreak and the situation is worrying,” Chan told reporters.
A security guard, a cleaner and several residents living on non-adjacent floors were infected, with the source of contact believed to be a man who visited the building on January 13.
“These foci of infection involve superspreading and are extremely high risk,” Chan added.
According to Edwin Tsui, who heads the Center for Health Protection, the virus could have been spread by a cleaner who had to work floor by floor.
The nearly 2,700 residents will have to stay home until January 26 and undergo daily covid-19 tests.
Like China, Hong Kong reacts to the slightest hint of the virus with border closures, contact tracing, targeted lockdowns and lengthy quarantines.
This five-day quarantine is the longest ever ordered in the city. Previously, building lockdowns had been overnight and residents were allowed to leave with a negative test.
Positive people are moved to isolation rooms and close contacts to a government quarantine camp.
The Hong Kong Executive has said it will provide food and supplies to affected residents.
