Squashed inside the 50-square-foot living space she shares with her son, Wong Mei-ying knows social-distancing during the coronavirus pandemic is all but impossible.

Wong Mei-ying knows social-distancing is almost impossible in the Hong Kong flat she shares with 12 other people
Wong Mei-ying knows social-distancing is almost impossible in the Hong Kong flat she shares with 12 other people AFP / Anthony WALLACE

The 70-year-old Hong Konger lives in one of the city's notorious "cubicle flats" -- subdivided apartments that make up some of the most densely packed buildings in the world.

Earlier this week, authorities announced a new local outbreak of the deadly coronavirus in Wong's neighbourhood -- the first local transmission case in the financial hub in nearly a month.

As well as the one Wong shares with her son, five other 'cubicles' have been squeezed into an apartment meant for a single family
As well as the one Wong shares with her son, five other 'cubicles' have been squeezed into an apartment meant for a single family AFP / Anthony WALLACE

The news has put Wong on edge.

It's not easy to follow social distancing advice when residents have to line up to cook their meals in the shared kitchen
It's not easy to follow social distancing advice when residents have to line up to cook their meals in the shared kitchen AFP / Anthony WALLACE

With officials testing hundreds of residents nearby, Wong says she tries to follow the government's social distancing and hygiene advice.

But that's not easy inside cubicle flats.

Earlier this week, authorities announced a new local outbreak of the deadly coronavirus in Wong's neighbourhood - the first local transmission case in Hong Kong in nearly a month
Earlier this week, authorities announced a new local outbreak of the deadly coronavirus in Wong's neighbourhood - the first local transmission case in Hong Kong in nearly a month AFP / Anthony WALLACE

"We have 12 people living here," Wong told AFP, gesturing to the five other cubicles that have been squeezed into the apartment alongside a shared kitchen and shower.

In 2016 authorities estimated some 200,000 people lived in cubicles that were 50-square feet or less
In 2016 authorities estimated some 200,000 people lived in cubicles that were 50-square feet or less AFP / Anthony WALLACE

"We have to line up to cook our meals, queue for shower. Around dinner time, the kitchen will be so crowded and every one of us wears a mask," she added.

Jack Sit from Asbury Methodist Social Services told AFP that subdivided flats were "high-risk" in terms of virus transmission, saying that ventilation and drainage systems were often poor in those buildings.

Wong dreams of having an apartment for just herself and her son but says it would cost about the same as her monthly salary
Wong dreams of having an apartment for just herself and her son but says it would cost about the same as her monthly salary AFP / Anthony WALLACE

Wong's subdivided apartment is located in a crumbling walk-up building with cracked walls. What should be a main living room for a single family contains six cubicles separated from each other by thin pre-fab walls.

She sleeps on the bottom bunk, her 43-year-old son takes the top bed.

On paper Hong Kong is one of the richest cities in the world.

But it suffers from pervasive inequality, an acute housing shortage and eye-watering rents that successive governments have failed to solve.

In 2016 authorities estimated some 200,000 people lived in cubicles that were 50-square feet or less.

Wong's cubicle -- which costs HK$2,000 ($258) a month -- is not even the smallest type of home available on the market.

That dubious accolade belongs to so-called "cage homes", which are little more than a single bed surrounded by a lockable metal cage.

Wong works at a fast food chain and recently had her shifts cut from six days a week to five as business suffers during the pandemic.

She dreams of having an apartment for just herself and her son, who works in construction.

"But that would cost HK$7,000-8,000 per month, about the same as what I earn each month," she said.