Briton, who was positive for Covid-19 on his flight to Hong Kong, is being kept in hospital two weeks after his diagnosis. He has not been released from the hospital and must follow a daily schedule.
Darryl Chan (29), was placed in isolation in hospital with fellow travellers, after he tested positive for Omicron during a pre-screening when he arrived in London from December 19.
He has been confined for 24 hours a day with no fresh air or outdoors time and put on a strict timetable including being woken up at 8am with a musical jingle over the PA system and given meals at three fixed times each day.
Hong Kong’s strict zero-Covid policy requires that all positive arrivals be quarantined in hospitals until they are negative for two consecutive days.
Chan was negative for the vaccine before he flew from London. He has since been completely vaccinated including a booster jab.
Even if he fails to pass a test, Chan will be moved to an isolation facility by the government because of Chan’s city-state restrictions. He must then spend 14 more days in quarantine.
Darryl Chan (29), who was found to be positive for Covid-19 on his flight from Hong Kong, is currently being held in hospital. He has not been released yet.
Chan was kept in the 2.5m x 2.5m cubicle at an isolation hospital in Hong Kong after he came to Hong Kong from London.
Chan has a set time and Chan must follow it. Chan wakes up every morning at 8am to hear a musical song over the PA system. Chan also needs to check his blood pressure and oxygen levels.
Chan is given three meals a day at fixed times – breakfast at around 9am, lunch at noon and dinner at 6pm
Chan was moving to Hong Kong for a job and told MailOnline that patients wake up every morning at 8am with a pre-recorded music over the PA system.
Chan, who was moving to Hong Kong to start a new job, told MailOnline the patients are woken up at 8am every morning with a little pre-recorded musical jingle over the PA system.
In an announcement, patients are asked to provide their contact information. Take note of their blood pressure, oxygen levels, heart beat, body temperature and pulse. This must be done again by 5pm.
The majority of patients are then subject to daily PCR testing. These tests are typically done by hospital staff at 8.30am. Breakfast is served at 9am. Lunch at noon. Dinner at 6pm. Lights out at 10pm.
“When you arrive at the hospital for the first time, you will be given an opportunity to indicate your dietary needs. Chan stated that food is healthy but basic. Think of airplane food.
“Being from Hong Kong, most dishes consist of Chinese food – rice and meat with thick sauces, along with some stir-fried or steamed vegetables.
He said that patients can order Deliveroo online at their expense, but there are restrictions and strict security measures which mean that delivery times may be delayed by up to 45 minutes between items reaching the door and arriving in the room.
Friends and family are permitted to drop-off items but deliveries are limited to two 30-minutes slots per day and only ‘daily necessities’ are permitted meaning patients cannot have deliveries of perishable foods, alcohol or cigarettes.
The cubicles of the Hong Kong isolation Ward measure approximately 2.5m x 2.5m. They are all curtained off.
Chan and other positive patients are kept in isolation in Hong Kong’s hospital 24 hours per day. There is no fresh air or outside time. (pictured, the entrance to the ward).
Chan claimed that the hospital’s food was comparable to those offered on planes, and called it ‘nutritious, yet pretty basic.
Chan explained that the majority of these dishes come from China – usually, they are made up of rice and meat with a thick sauce.
Chan said patients are allowed to order Deliveroo at their own expense but that options are limited and stringent security measures mean there is usually a delay of at least 45 minutes in between the items arriving at the main entrance and being delivered to the room (pictured, a meal provided by the hospital isolation ward)
Chan claimed that he was subject to X-rays, blood tests, and ECGs every other day during his first ten consecutive days of being here. These were done so that medics could track the effect of Covid.
The doctor explained that they arrived on the ward wearing full PPE, from the head to the toe, with mobile computers to conduct the tests. This stopped at once. The medics will be happy to see you. [was]There is nothing to worry about’.
Daily PCR testing is done with the doctor and patients have a consultation every day, usually via WhatsApp from the ward.
Chan stated that he was asked if he had any symptoms. He also received his CT (cycle threshold), value from yesterday’s PCR test. Chan added that a recommendation to increase water intake has been made.
According to him, doctors cannot give out too much information about their patients but may offer some basic medications such as cough syrup that can be used to relieve discomfort.
He stated, “Otherwise it is just a waiting sport.”
Chan used his time to read his email, check in with his friends via social media, and catch up on Netflix. However, Chan admits that he feels lonely at the end of the day and worries about its long-term effects on his mental health.
Briton at 29 At Terminal 2 at Hong Kong’s airport, the first time Covid screening was performed for inbound passengers.
“I got off the plane, tested in under an hour, and then I sat down in the holding area. Everyone is given a number of seats and socially distant. Chan said that it was like an exam hall.
Briton was 29 years old when she received her first positive result from Covid screening at Terminal 2 Hong Kong airport for passengers arriving inbound.
As part of strict city restrictions, all arrivals at Hong Kong Airport will be immediately tested for Covid-19.
Chan stated that passengers were placed in an area similar to an exam hall (pictured), where everyone was given a number of seats and separated from each other as they waited for the results.
Chan stated that Chan waited for three hours more before a representative from health came and informed Chan the second test was positive. They then led Chan away to a secure area at the terminal, where they had set up individual cubicles behind screens.
Chan explained that the results could take between two and four hours. Those who test negative are allowed to depart the terminal to claim their baggage and return to their hotel to complete their 21 day quarantine.
‘I knew there was something wrong the moment I received an email from the Hong Kong Department of Health on WhatsApp advising that my results had returned “inconclusive”, which meant that they would have to do it again.
Chan stated that Chan waited for another three hours until a health officer came and informed him that the second test was positive. He then led Chan to an area of the terminal, where they had set up cubicles behind screens.
“Each cubicle was assigned a number, and each had a chair or a temporary bed. His number was given to me and I was told to sit down until the ambulance arrives to bring me to a hospital.
As a precaution, the doctor placed him on his own to determine which strain of Covid it was. He was then moved to the shared ward with others who were infected by the Omicron strain after his tests revealed the result.
“My ward is full, and six people have shared the bathroom. Our cubicles are approximately 2.5m by 2.5m in size and have a curtain to protect them, but it’s still quite private.
Hong Kong has announced that flights from the UK, seven other countries, and Hong Kong will be banned for the next two weeks as part of its latest anti-Covid campaign.
On Sunday, the two-week ban for passenger flights to the United States, Australia, Canada and France from India, Pakistan and Pakistan will be in effect. It will continue through January 21.
Carrie Lam, the leader of Hong Kong, announced that restaurants will not be open after 6pm starting Friday. Bars, beauty salons, and game arcades are also prohibited during this time.
Ms Lam stated that ‘we have to contain this pandemic in order to prevent a major epidemic in the community again’. She also said that another surge is imminent.
New Omicron clusters were formed over the week. They are often linked to Cathay Pacific crewmembers who broke isolation rules, dined in restaurants and bars within the city and tested positive.
Hong Kong reported 114 Omicron variant cases on Tuesday. The majority of these were being imported.
It reported Tuesday its first case of untraceable in almost three months. Authorities said it was probably caused by Omicron.
Hong Kong officials moved quickly to prevent the spread, locking down buildings in which people tested positive for the variant and mass testing thousands.
About 2,500 people were held by the cruise liner in Hong Kong Wednesday to undergo coronavirus test after officials said that nine of them were connected with an Omicron cluster.
The Royal Caribbean’s Spectrum Of The Seas vessel, which left Sunday for a “cruise of nowhere”, was forced to return to port on Wednesday by authorities.
After returning to Hong Kong, the ship was re-boarded on Wednesday morning. Passengers were kept onboard while they awaited their testing.
Royal Caribbean released a statement saying that nine guests from the party were isolated immediately and tested negative. The company also stated that it was in close contact with authorities for compliance with all regulations and prevention policies.
It stated that guests onboard the ship affected would get a 25% discount on their cruise fares. Because the crew had to undergo tests, Thursday’s sailing was cancelled. Those guests will be refunded in full.
According to Tuesday’s data, 12,690 people had been infected with coronavirus. There were 213 deaths.
Hong Kong announced today a ban of flights to the UK from seven countries and the United States for two weeks in response to rising Covid cases. (pictured: Heathrow Airport’s arrival area).
Carrie Lam, Hong Kong’s Chief executive said that the new variant has officials very concerned because they are still operating under a zero Covid policy.
After several positive contacts were made after the cruise ship Spectrum of the Seas docked in Hong Kong, the vessel is now under lockdown