The new coronavirus variant spreading in South Africa has now reached Hong Kong.
The new variant was brought in by a man who flew in from South Africa on November 11th, according to the Centre for Health Protection (CHP). Two days later, he tested positive for the coronavirus, according to The Washington Post.
The new variant, known as B.1.1.529, was discovered in two men quarantined separately at the Regal Airport Hotel in Chek Lap Kok earlier this month, according to Hong Kong public broadcaster RTHK (Nov 25).
RTHK said this patient allegedly spread the infection to another man who was staying in a nearby hotel room.
The second man, 62, had arrived from Canada, The Post reported.
The CHP stated that recent research into the two cases revealed that their genetic sequences were extremely similar, and that the viruses they carried were of the B.1.1.529 variant.
According to RTHK, the first patient wore a reusable mask with an air valve, and additional study by University of Hong Kong microbiologist Yuen Kwok Yung revealed that the mask contributed to the virus's spread by airborne transfer to the second man.
Bloomberg said the government has outlawed the use of masks with exhalation valves or vents during hotel quarantine because they do not adequately filter exhaled air.
A government release stated Hong Kong also mandated air purifiers to be put in quarantine rooms at hotels if the guest plans to exercise to "remove aerosol generated during exercise."
Following the discovery of the two cases, The Standard newspaper reported that 12 people who stayed in three rooms near the two men from Nov. 11 to Nov. 14 were taken to Penny's Bay Quarantine Centre for a 14-day mandatory quarantine. So far, no related infections have been discovered.
On Friday, Professor David Hui of the Chinese University of Hong Kong expressed concern that the new variant could reduce the effectiveness of current COVID-19 vaccines.
HK01 has since reported that a Hong Kong government expert consultant suggested that the city consider banning visitors from the southern part of Africa, which includes South Africa and Botswana.
According to scientists, the new version is causing an increase in new COVID-19 infections in South Africa.
South Africa's National Institute for Communicable Diseases has reported 22 positive cases so far, the New York Times reported.
Experts found that the new variant contains a spike protein that differs significantly from that of the original coronavirus.
