Hong Kong Sent Two Infected Travelers Home in Test Mishandling

(Bloomberg) -- Hong Kong sent two travelers infected with the novel coronavirus to their homes, instead of transferring them to a hospital for isolation and treatment, after their samples were probably mixed up during testing.

The mistake was discovered in repeat testing early Saturday and the two people were then moved to a hospital, where they are in stable condition, according to a press release published on the government website on Saturday.

Two other people, who were waiting at a temporary test center where travelers with symptoms are being examined upon entering, were allowed to return home after the repeat test showed they weren’t infected.

Hong Kong on Friday suffered its biggest daily increase in new coronavirus cases since the pandemic first reached the city in January, underscoring the mounting challenge to contain the spread after residents rushed back from abroad.

©2020 Bloomberg L.P.