The outbreak of the epidemic has not ended, and the number of single-day confirmed cases and infections has repeatedly hit new highs. Zhang Zhujun, director of the Infectious Diseases Division of the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health, said that today (17th), there were 6,116 new confirmed cases, including 9 imported cases, and the remaining 6,107 cases were Local infection; another about 6,300 initial confirmed cases.
Deputy Secretary for Food and Health Tsui Tak-yi admitted that the epidemic situation in Hong Kong is very serious, with nearly 4,300 cases recorded yesterday (16th), and more than 10,000 cases were recorded in this wave of the epidemic, which is more than in 2020 and 2021 combined, making epidemic prevention more difficult. . The Hospital Authority is prioritizing the admission of high-risk individuals, and community isolation centers for mild cases. Therefore, the government has decided to adjust the length of stay in the hospital. If the confirmed person’s home conditions permit, and no high-risk person lives with him, as long as the test is negative 7 days after the onset of the disease, he or she will be admitted to the hospital. You can go home until you are tested on the 14th, and you can leave without infection. If you have the virus on the 7th day, or if you live with someone who is at high risk, you must stay in the community isolation facility until the 14th day.
Xu said that there are currently many people with mild symptoms waiting at home. The government is closely preparing for more support, distributing electronic wristbands and testing kits, etc. They should stay at home and report their physical conditions regularly, and the government will also set up a helpline. If they have waited for 14 days and have not tested positive for the virus, they do not need to be hospitalized and can leave their homes. Xu also pointed out that he will continue to increase the vaccination rate of the elderly, and cooperate with the education sector to provide the vaccination rate of young children. Currently, 3 to 4 years old can be vaccinated with Kexing, and 5 to 11 years old can be vaccinated with Fubitai. The government has set up mobile sampling stations. Dispatching the opportunity, the situation of the crowd has improved.
Dr. Ho Wan-ha, Chief Administrative Manager (Patient Safety and Risk Management) of the Hospital Authority, pointed out that the Centre for Health Protection was following up on 19 outbreak homes for the elderly yesterday and today. Currently, 6,961 people are under home quarantine, involving 3,163 families.
He also appealed to the private sector to join the anti-epidemic team. Because the number of hospital beds is constantly expanding, more manpower is needed. Register in the morning and start work in the afternoon. I hope they can help share the management and operation of the medical station and transfer the manpower back to the front line to fight the epidemic. epidemic. If the situation of a large number of patients waiting outdoors continues, it will be difficult to solve the problem just by working hard, so I hope everyone can help. In addition, about 140 medical staff were diagnosed today, and 20 colleagues were listed as close contacts. About 20 patients were screened for the virus at admission, and about 50 patients with the same illness were classified as close contacts.