During the nearly three-year period of the new crown pneumonia epidemic in Hong Kong, a total of more than 1.83 million confirmed cases have been recorded. Chen Jialiang, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine of CUHK, estimates that there may be more than one million people in Hong Kong who suffer from the sequelae of “long-term new crown”, which will be affected to varying degrees, including poor memory. , unable to concentrate, etc., believes that the government and society should not ignore the situation, and suggested that the authorities set up specialized clinics. There were 5,564 new confirmed cases in Hong Kong yesterday, breaking the 5,000 mark for 4 consecutive days. Chen Jialiang believes that the lethality of the virus will continue to become milder as it changes. For example, the level of severe cases and deaths did not increase with the number of confirmed cases, immigration and social distancing Measures should be further relaxed.
The epidemic has been raging in Hong Kong for a long time. Even if the public is unfortunately infected with the epidemic, even if the test is negative, it is not equivalent to “returning to the sun”, and various sequelae may linger. The Chinese University of Hong Kong launched a three-month “long-term new crown” study in July this year, aiming to invite 10,000 people who have recovered from the new crown to fill out a questionnaire. Chen Jialiang estimated in a TV program that there may be more than one million people in Hong Kong suffering from “long-term new crown”, and revealed that nearly 7,000 people who have recovered have participated in the study, ranging in age from 1 to 102 years old, and 70% of them continue to suffer from “coronavirus”. Covid-19 symptoms, while women, people over 65 and those who have not been vaccinated against Covid-19 are at higher risk of developing Covid-19.
The preliminary study found that 40% of the respondents were troubled by various symptoms or had poor memory, unable to concentrate, and 30% to 40% had emotional problems such as insomnia, anxiety and depression. Although most of them have mild symptoms, they all affect their studies and work. Chen Jialiang believes that the authorities should face up to the problem and deal with it as soon as possible to avoid other complex problems in the future, including suggesting that the government set up specialist clinics for triage treatment, and the medical community should raise awareness of the “long-term new crown”. recognition.
The fourth wave of patients has more persistent symptoms
Regarding the recovered patients who have been vaccinated and infected with the mutated virus strain Omicron, Chen Jialiang said that their symptoms are short-lived and mild, which is believed to be related to the weakening of Omicron’s lethality. Also known as the fourth wave of the epidemic, the symptoms of patients usually last longer and longer. Organ symptoms are more common. As for the recent cases of XBB, BA.4.6 or BQ.1.1 and other sub-lineage cases, he believes that more data is needed to judge whether it has a deeper impact on the “long new crown”.
The Centre for Health Protection announced that there were 5,564 new confirmed cases yesterday, including 385 imported cases. A total of 20 critical and 25 critically ill patients are currently hospitalized in public hospitals, and five more patients died yesterday, the HA said. Chen Jialiang said that if the mutant virus is to become mainstream, the transmission power will be enhanced, but the lethality must be reduced in order to live in the human body for a long time. He hoped that if the current trend is followed, that is, the number of confirmed cases will increase in the next few months but the level of serious and fatal cases will remain, the government can further consider relaxing social distancing measures and lifting the “yellow code” restrictions for the first three days of entry.
In terms of epidemic cases, the Centre for Health Protection reported no cases involving the Omicron XBB, BA.2.75.2, BA.4.6 and BQ.1.1 sub-strains yesterday. Yesterday, a total of 15 residents and staff of 10 residential homes were diagnosed with the virus, and 37 people were classified as close contacts and required to be quarantined; one class in each of the two middle schools had to suspend face-to-face teaching for a week due to cluster cases. The adult psychiatric female ward and the forensic psychiatric male ward of Castle Peak Hospital have recently been diagnosed with 2 and 3 patients respectively. A convalescent male ward of the Tsz Nursing Home in Sha Tin has also recently been diagnosed with 3 patients. The two hospitals are respectively investigating the connection between the cases in the hospital.
Cathay Pacific: Cabin crew can choose “0+3”
In addition, from the 4th of this month, if the crew members stationed in Hong Kong comply with the specified conditions when they are on duty overseas, and after arriving in Hong Kong, they will also obtain a negative nucleic acid test result before leaving the airport, and then take the nucleic acid test for 4 consecutive days. Maintain “Blue Code”. At that time, some unions believed that the crew members would be exhausted if they still had to wait at the airport for a long time after landing. Cathay Pacific stated that from yesterday, crew members can choose the “0+3” arrangement as ordinary inbound passengers, that is, they can leave after sampling and hold a “yellow code” for the first 3 days of arrival. However, the Transport and Logistics Bureau replied to this newspaper that the relevant immigration policy has not been revised since the beginning of the month, and reiterated that if the crew does not meet the relevant specified requirements, the arrangement will be in line with the general immigration.