Buddhist Temple In Hong Kong Becomes Hotbed For Covid-19 Infections After 8 Cases Are Linked To It

2 New Covid-19 Infections In Hong Kong Related To Cluster Of 6 Victims Who Visited Buddhist Temple

A Buddhist temple in Hong Kong may be a hotbed for infection of Covid-19.

On Tuesday (25 Feb), Hong Kong health authorities discovered that a cluster of six victims and the two recent cases of Covid-19 visited the Fook Wai Ching She on Hong Kong Island.

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The victims went to the temple around the end of January or early February.

Two new cases from a Buddhist temple

On Thursday (27 Feb), The Straits Times (ST) reported that two new cases of Covid-19 involved a 55-year-old mom and her 24-year-old son in Hong Kong. Both were admitted for treatment and are now in a stable condition.

In early February, she visited the Fook Wai Ching She temple in North Point to meet her sister.

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The son did not visit the Buddhist temple but lived with his mom. Shortly after, the woman’s son and her sister tested positive for Covid-19.

Cluster of six related to two new cases

On 6 Feb, the cluster of six cases spent hours reading scriptures and eating together in a room without wearing face masks.

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) revealed that the new patients and cluster of six cases were connected to the Fook Wai Ching She temple. They collected 33 environmental samples from the temple and found that the cloth covers and bathroom faucets tested positive.

Unfortunately, it’s difficult to track the residents who visited the temple.

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Dr Chuang Shuk-kwan, the head of the centre’s communicable disease division, said,

The temple is run by volunteers and there’s no registration system, so it’s difficult for us to track down visitors.

Authorities closed the temple to avoid more cases of infection, according to ST.

They appealed to the public to call a government hotline if they visited the temple from 25 Jan. This way, they can make assessments and prevent more cases of community transmission.

Remain vigilant in public spaces

We’ve seen many places of religious worship become hotspots for Covid-19 infections in Singapore and abroad.

Since many people gather at such places for worship or other communal activities, taking precautionary measures at all times is necessary.

Wash your hands regularly, wear face masks and exercise proper hygiene. If you’re feeling unwell, don’t hesitate to seek medical treatment.

Featured image from rthk and ejinsight.