#16,960
Eleven days ago, in Hong Kong: Daily COVID Cases Back Above 5,000 we looked at the inexorable rise in COVID cases in Hong Kong since bottoming out at fewer than 200 daily cases in late May. While still far below the heights hit in February and March, cases have continued to spiral upward, hitting 7,677 today.
Unlike the rest of the world, Mainland China and Hong Kong continue to pursue a `Zero-COVID' policy, although with each new, highly transmissible variant, that task become more difficult.Hong Kong isn't alone in all of this, as we've seen steep rises in COVID cases in Japan and South Korea as well (see chart below), as BA.5 makes up an increasingly greater percentage of cases.
The (translated) title of the following report is slightly misleading, as this report details outbreaks among staff and patients at local hospitals along with a number of school and institutional outbreaks. Authorities warn this upward trajectory is is likely to continue.
More than 7,000 people are confirmed to be infected in a public hospital
August 24, 2022
There were 7,677 new positive local cases of novel coronavirus in Hong Kong. A cluster of infected medical staff has appeared in a public hospital. The patient attended a wedding banquet. The Hospital Authority called on staff to reduce gatherings.
Zhang Zhujun, director of the Infectious Diseases Division of the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health, said at a briefing today that among the local cases, 2,934 were positive for nucleic acid tests, the remaining 4,743 were confirmed positive by rapid antigen test, and 207 were imported. The number of deaths increased by 14.
Nine residential care homes for the elderly and six residential care homes for persons with disabilities have recorded confirmed cases, and the relevant close contacts are subject to quarantine. As for schools, 72 schools reported a total of 101 positive cases involving 74 students and 27 staff. In the past seven days, 27 schools have reported two or more cases, and six schools have designated classes to suspend face-to-face classes.
Zhang Zhujun said that according to the current upward trend, it is not impossible for the number of confirmed cases in a single day to exceed 10,000, and the government may tighten social distancing measures. She called on the public to remain vigilant and reduce attendance at gatherings with large numbers of people or without masks.
In terms of public hospitals, Li Liye, Chief Administrative Manager (Integrated Clinical Services) of the Hospital Authority, said that four Kwong Wah Hospital obstetricians and gynecologists, one Queen Mary Hospital obstetrician and one Princess Margaret Hospital internist were diagnosed with the disease. Attended the same wedding reception on the 20th. No patient is listed as a close contact. The bureau reminds the public to avoid gatherings as much as possible. Even if they do gather, they should avoid talking while eating, and they should wear a mask immediately after eating.
The female ward of the internal medicine department of the Eastern District Hospital also had transmission. A 95-year-old female patient was found to be diagnosed after admission screening. After that, five patients and four hospital employees were infected with the virus.
Due to the increase in confirmed cases, the respite center set up by the Social Welfare Department at the Harbour Road Sports Centre will be put into operation on the 1st of next month to receive patients with mild or asymptomatic diagnoses. The respite center has 130 beds.
In view of the high virus levels in sewage samples from some residential buildings in Southern District, Wong Tai Sin and Tuen Mun , the Housing Department and the local District Office will distribute rapid antigen test kits to the relevant residents, cleaners and property management staff.
The Government has set up a dedicated webpage to provide relevant information and health advice on COVID-19.
