A Yau Ma Tei building has been locked down as authorities investigate whether a Cathay Pacific pilot was infected with the Omicron varaint of Covid-19.
Cheung Hing Building on Pitt Street will be locked down until 7am Friday, after a freighter pilot who lives there tested preliminary positive of the
coronavirus, it was announced on Thursday evening.
The pilot operated the cargo flight CX2071 from Anchorage, which arrived in Hong Kong on December 13. He tested negative at the Hong Kong International Airport.
He stayed home during a three-day enhanced medical surveillance period, and headed out on Wednesday to buy food and to undergo a
Covid-19 test at a mobile testing station in his neighborhood.
He tested positive on Wednesday and developed symptoms on the same day. Testing by the Department of Health's lab showed the spike protein gene of the patient's sample involves T478K mutation -- an indicator that he could be infected with the Omicron variant. A whole genome sequencing still needs to be conducted to confirm if it was the case.
The locations he visited will be slapped with mandatory testing notices.
Cathay Pacific said the aircrew had not left his home except for taking the mandatory testing and making food purchase in one outing during the first 3-day enhanced medical surveillance period since arrival.
The operating aircraft has been sent for deep cleaning. All operating flight crew are fully vaccinated.
