Hong Kong Leader's Infection Fears Played Down After Concert Exposure

Carrie Lam had no contact with a musician who played at a concert she attended Tuesday, a representative for Hong Kong's chief executive says.

Lam and Caspar Tsui, the secretary for home affairs, attended a Hong Kong Philharmonic concert Friday.

On Saturday a 35-year old bass clarinet player who had performed developed a fever. He sought treatment at a hospital Monday where deep throat samples were taken to test for the novel coronavirus.

"According to the opinion of the Centre for Health Protection, the chief executive isn't listed as a close contact [to the infected musician]," a statement released by Lam's office said.

Both politicians wore face masks during the concert. Aides to the chief executive say she didn't shake hands with anyone and sat at a distance from the stage in the fifth row.

While neither member of the government interacted directly with the musicians, Tsui spoke with the orchestra's conductor Lio Kuokman after the concert.

As a clarinetist, the musician couldn't wear a mask and nearly 100 performers on the stage have been sent to quarantine. Another 50 backstage staff may have been exposed, but as they wore masks the risk is deemed lower, according to a government statement.

The concert was in compliance with social distancing rules, meaning it was fully booked with fewer than half the venue's 2,000 seats occupied. Hong Kong's Leisure and Culture Services Department announced a full sterilization of the premises Tuesday.

The city hasn't recorded a coronavirus-related death in nearly three weeks. Restrictions on gathering sizes and restaurant opening times remain in place.