There are signs of a rebound in the new crown pneumonia epidemic in Hong Kong. The number of confirmed cases in a single day returned to the level of 9,000 in mid-September yesterday, and the number of imported cases also hit a new high. The government stated that the average daily number of cases in the past week has increased by more than 20% compared to the previous week. Coupled with the increase in cases in residential care homes for the elderly, it has decided to maintain the existing social distancing measures for two more weeks. Li Xiayin, deputy director of the Medical and Health Bureau, said that the epidemic situation is changing rapidly and repeatedly, and the government needs to relax epidemic prevention measures in a “step-by-step” manner as the public refers to it. He also admitted that when the medical system is paralyzed, it may be necessary to tighten epidemic prevention measures.
The number of single-day confirmed cases dropped from more than 9,000 cases in mid-September to regarding 3,000 cases per day in the second half of the month, and then gradually recovered following the implementation of the “0+3” entry restriction, reaching 9,219 cases yesterday. In the past week, the overall number of confirmed cases in Hong Kong was 28.5% higher than that of the previous week. Zhang Zhujun, director of the Infectious Diseases Division of the Center for Health Protection, pointed out that the local cases have increased by regarding 25.6% in the past week, describing the increase as “quite drastic”, but it is difficult to generalize the reasons for the increase. It is believed that the increase in imported cases, the relaxation of social distancing measures, and the relaxation of public awareness of epidemic prevention may be more related to social activities, etc.
Zhang Zhujun is worried regarding the recent increase in the number of cases in residential care homes for the elderly. He also revealed that the overall secondary infection cases in the community only account for regarding 3%, but 20% to 30% of the elderly cases in residential care homes for the elderly are secondary infections. It is believed that many residents this year After the fifth wave of epidemic infection and recovery, the immunity has decreased over time and new mutant virus strains have emerged. Fortunately, the mortality rate of residents is now lower than that at that time.
719 imported cases continue to hit a new high
The Center for Health Protection recorded 719 imported cases yesterday, a new high since the outbreak of the epidemic. Li Xiayin said that although the daily imported cases accounted for less than 4% of the number of arrivals, the actual number has increased from more than 200 before. How powerful is it.” She went on to say that at this moment, it is impossible to predict how the epidemic will increase, but she admits that she does not expect the epidemic to plummet, and there will inevitably be repetitions. Li Xiayin believes that due to the “ups and downs” in the number of immunization cases, it is not appropriate to relax any epidemic prevention measures at this stage, including the “yellow code” restrictions on immigrants. The current social distance measures will be extended for two weeks to the 14th of next month. She also mentioned that citizens should not be discouraged in the face of the rebound of the epidemic, but they should not take it lightly. They should adjust their mood and not panic, but they should also remain moderately vigilant and not feel that the epidemic has nothing to do with them.
The weather in Hong Kong is starting to turn cold. Li Xiayin reminds the public to pay attention to the winter flu situation. At that time, the number of emergency room visits and admissions will increase. It is recommended that the confirmed citizens with symptoms can make good use of the designated clinics or remote consultation services of the Hospital Authority. “But Please don’t rush to the emergency room.” She also added that although the government does not want to go back, if the epidemic develops to the point where the medical system is completely paralyzed and no patient can receive proper treatment, the epidemic prevention measures may be tightened .
Liu Jiaxian, chief administrative manager of the Hospital Authority, also said that the Hospital Authority is beginning to worry regarding the increase in the number of hospital admissions in cold weather, and will closely monitor the demand and open up additional beds. He also emphasized that there are still many non-new crown patients admitted to the hospital every day. He said that at present, the designated clinics and remote consultations are used by nearly 1,000 people each day. The authorities have increased the number of related services, but emphasized that non-emergency services have not been affected. He also said that the number of confirmed patients from nursing homes has increased from a low of 11% to 18% recently. Because many of them are long-term patients and have poor mobility, the proportion of patients who need to be admitted to the hospital once infected is higher than that of community elders.
The bivalent vaccine is only suitable for the fourth dose and can be vaccinated as soon as early next month
The government pointed out that the Fubita bivalent vaccine once morest Omicron BA.4 or BA.5 mutant strains will arrive in Hong Kong in the next few days, and it is expected that citizens can be vaccinated as soon as early next month. Li Xiayin, deputy director of the Medical and Health Bureau, said that the bivalent vaccine is only suitable for the fourth dose, that is, the first three doses are not applicable. Following Lin Yingqi, the administrative assistant to the director of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, who was diagnosed the day before yesterday (23rd), Zhao Wenliang, the political assistant to the director, was also diagnosed yesterday (24th). The Bureau stated that Director Yang Runxiong and Deputy Director Liu Zhen conducted rapid tests every day, and the results were all negative.
Originally published on AM730 https://www.am730.com.hk/Local/Back across the board – Epidemic prevention is difficult to reduce spiciness for the time being – 9,000 confirmed cases in a single day – Average weekly increase 28.5-/349588?utm_source=yahoorss&utm_medium=referral
