"I have no faith in the whole policy," Ng, 52, said. "I understand it is for the safety of society, but if they cannot...handle it, what’s the point?"

Ng and her domestic helper were sent to a makeshift quarantine facility.

Ng's 96-year-old father, who has mobility issues, had to spend five days in an isolation room in a hospital while wearing tight clothing attached to the bedframe, preventing him from getting up.

Ng's mother, 93, was placed in another isolation room at the same hospital, where she fell ill. Ng blames her illness on medical staff requiring her to skip showers and use diapers to minimise movement around the hospital.

Ng said the diapers were changed rarely and only at set hours. Her mother later went to a private hospital, spending more than HK$100,000 ($12,820) to treat various infections.

Hong Kong's Hospital Authority did not respond to questions about Ng's account, declining comment on individual cases.

The rules have since been adjusted with contacts of Covid-19 patients isolating at home as hospitals increasingly prioritise admissions based on severity.

City leader Carrie Lam has said the city "will not surrender" to the virus, calling on residents to have faith in government efforts and show understanding with regards to the inconvenience they cause.

The experience has made Ng fear the system that tries to contain Covid-19 more than the illness itself.

"If I do get infected, it will be like I have admitted a crime," Ng said.