#16,616
As the above chart from Our World In Data illustrates, Hong Kong - which is battling what is assumed to be a less severe Omicron virus - currently has a higher death rate from COVID (per capita) than the United States or the UK experienced anytime during the pandemic.
The reason is easy enough to see in the graphic below. The number of cases they are currently seeing (per capita) it more than double anything experienced in the United States and the UK during the pandemic.
Even a less severe COVID virus - if it infects enough people - can produce a high number of deaths.
Although Hong Kong's daily numbers are off the highs reported last week, today they reported just over 31,000 cases, which is a 100-fold increase over a month ago. Despite Hong Kong's Zero-COVID policy, due to the high number of cases they are forced to rely heavily on people testing at home and reporting any positive tests.
Since a positive test - even for an asymptomatic individual - often means forced isolation in a government facility for the person who tests positive and quarantine for close contacts, it is possible not every case gets reported.
From today's CHP announcement:
A spokesman for the CFS emphasized that the local epidemic situation has been very severe recently, and cases involving more contagious mutant virus strains have continued to rise. In view of the higher infectivity and infection risk of the Omicron variant virus strain, the CFS strongly urges the public to continue to observe social distancing measures, minimize going out, and avoid participating in crowded or unnecessary activities or gatherings (especially cross-family activities or gatherings, religious activities or gatherings, etc.) to reduce the chance of contracting the novel coronavirus disease and prevent the spread of the virus in the community.
The mandatory city-wide testing scheme announced 2 weeks ago - which would require each resident be PCR tested 3 times in March (every 5 to 7 days), while doing daily at-home rapid tests - has yet to be rolled out or fully explained.
While the government insists there won't be a `full lockdown', they have indicated people will have to `stay in their homes' during this testing process.
Over the past few days the message from Hong Kong authorities is that there is no shortage of food (despite empty store shelves) and people `should not panic'. Two recent headlines from Reuters, however, illustrate the the mood of the city.
Hong Kong residents urged not to panic ahead of COVID mass testing
Hong Kong authorities continue to build emergency isolation and quarantine facilities to handle what is expected to be a major surge in positive cases once city-wide testing commences.
