#16,586
Hong Kong continues to reel under their most intense outbreak of the pandemic, with case counts increasing more than 200-fold over a month ago. Hospitals and isolation facilities are overwhelmed, and many high-risk patients are on waiting lists for a hospital bed.Yesterday, in concert with the expert team that arrived from the Mainland late last week, the CHP announced revised COVID discharge criteria, in hopes of freeing up beds.
But with only a few hundred people being discharged each day, and thousands of new cases being reported daily, the situation continues to worsen.
While it is not totally unheard of (see Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C)) Hong Kong also reported the rare death of a child, who tested positive for COVID.
Additionally, Hong Kong is reporting infections, or outbreaks, in roughly 250 residential care facilities. Unlike younger residents of Hong Kong, who have largely embraced getting vaccinated, many of the elderly have elected not to get the jab.
First this (translated) update from the CHP, then I'll return with a postscript.
February 21, 2022
There were 7,533 new positive test cases of novel coronavirus in Hong Kong, three imported from other places and the rest were local infections; the cumulative number of cases exceeded 60,000. In addition, 13 more patients died, including an 11-month-old baby girl.
Au Ka-wing, chief physician of the Infectious Diseases Division of the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health, said at a briefing today that there have been infection cases or outbreaks in about 250 residential care homes for the elderly and residential care homes for the disabled, involving staff and residents.
Hospital Authority Chief Administrative Manager (Quality and Standards) Lau Ka Hin said the deceased patients were seven males and six females, ranging in age from 11 months to 97 years old. Among them, the 11-month-old baby girl had fever and persistent convulsions the day before yesterday and was sent to the Accident and Emergency Department of Tseung Kwan O Hospital. The hospital gave her first aid and took samples for testing, and it was confirmed that she was positive for the new coronavirus, with a Ct value of 17, which means a high amount of virus.
The baby girl was then transferred to the Pediatric Intensive Care Department of Queen Elizabeth Hospital for treatment, but her condition continued to deteriorate, with her cardiopulmonary function temporarily halting.
Liu Jiaxian pointed out that the cause of the baby girl's death is still under investigation and the case has been referred to the Coroner's Court for follow-up. As for the baby girl's parents, eight-year-old brother, twin sister and other family members, the rapid antigen test results were all positive.
In addition, the HA is discussing with private hospitals to refer some patients who are receiving convalescence, rehabilitation, and daytime services such as radiological diagnosis and kidney dialysis to private hospitals, so as to free up more beds to take care of confirmed patients and other emergencies patient.
Liu Jiaxian said that the response from the private hospital was very positive, and the two sides still had to discuss and implement the details.
Since the sewage samples from Chung Wo House , Chung On Estate, Shatin , Cheung Him House and Cheong Yat House , Nam Cheong Estate, Sham Shui Po, were tested positive for COVID-19, the government made a restriction and testing declaration, and designated the three buildings as restricted areas, which will be subject to restrictions. Persons subject to inspection must undergo mandatory inspection before the designated time.
The Government has set up a dedicated webpage to provide relevant information and health advice on COVID-19.
So far Hong Kong authorities have refrained from implementing the kind of total lock-down we've seen on the Mainland, but the risks of HK's COVID epidemic spilling over io the Mainland increase with each passing day.
There are reports in the SCMP that a new anti-epidemic police task force is being set up in preparation for planned universal testing, and that thousands of civil servants and volunteers will provide assistance; including taking part in lockdown operations, and distributing meals to those stranded at home.Whether, and for how long, Beijing will remain patient with Hong Kong's response is anyone's guess.
Meanwhile, the team of experts from the Mainland who arrived for what was expected to be a 5-day visit last Thursday, have apparently extended their stay by a week (see RTHK Mainland experts to extend stay until next Monday).
