Hong Kong orchestra quarantines after member contracts COVID

HONG KONG — About 100 members of a Hong Kong orchestra are being quarantined after one of its members tested positive for the coronavirus.

A bass clarinet player for the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra was infected, according to a Facebook post by fellow orchestra member Andrew Simon.

Simon, the orchestra's principal clarinetist, said he would be taken to a government quarantine camp for two weeks.

All members of the orchestra must undergo quarantines to contain any risk for other performers and audience members, the South China Morning Post reported, citing an unidentified government official.

The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra had begun its new season of performances last Friday with a sold-out socially distanced concert due to coronavirus restrictions.

In a statement Tuesday, the orchestra said it would cancel four upcoming performances and issue refunds to those who had bought tickets.

It also said that some orchestra members and backstage staff would be sent to quarantine centres and undergo testing, and its offices will be closed and disinfected over the next few days.

Hong Kong reported eight new coronavirus cases on Tuesday. It has confirmed 5,202 infections, including 105 deaths.

Zen Soo, The Associated Press