Whispers from the east – the first hit

In early February, confirmed cases associated with the clusters related to hotpot family and Buddhist temple in North Point came to light and exploded the first wave of COVID-19 in Hong Kong. It posed daunting challenges to the frontline healthcare colleagues of Hong Kong East Cluster. “We predicted that the disease would have pointed to the hospitals located near control points first. Unexpectedly, Hong Kong East was the hotspot! The surge in close contact and suspected cases of COVID-19 led to the sudden increase in workload and considerable pressure on the supply of our isolation beds,” say Dr Raymond Liu, Hospital Infection Control Coordinator, Ruttonjee & Tang Shiu Kin Hospitals and Dr Lung Kwok-cheung, Associate Consultant (Infectious Diseases) of Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital (PYNEH), who both shared experience in combating epidemics such as SARS and swine flu.

Dr Liu recalls the day the first confirmed case of the hotpot family was admitted. He was informed that the patient’s grandmother, who was living with him, had suffered from fever and had been admitted to PYNEH for a few days due to her chronic disease. After investigation, it was revealed that some of his family members, such as his parents, aunts and cousins also showed similar symptoms after the hotpot gathering. To prevent an outbreak in the hospital, Ruttonjee Hospital (RH)immediately contacted PYNEH to request quarantine for his grandmother and other patients from the same room, and conduct viral tests for them and relevant medical staff.

Dr Lung and Yvette Lai, Senior Nursing Officer of Infection Control Team, Hong Kong East Cluster, who arranges isolation facilities state that, despite the keen demand for isolation beds, confirmed cases from the same family would be hospitalised in the same medical ward as far as possible so that they could at least be supported emotionally. They also remember an elderly female worshipper who was infected at the Buddhist temple and regrettably spread the virus to her husband. During the husband’s very last moment, the healthcare team allowed the wife to say goodbye in his room, while other family members stayed on the other side of the window. “Our children and grandchildren are doing well. Don’t worry. You can rest now,” said the old lady. Not long after, her husband passed away. Seeing patients hover between life and death, Dr Lung says that both teams from RH and PYNEH hope to fulfil the wishes of the patients and family, and move patients in every kind deed by delivering patient-centred treatment.

Regardless of the aggravating pandemic situation, three of them firmly say that frustration has never occurred to their frontline medical team. “As the public is doing their best in fighting COVID-19, we must stay strong and soldier on!”