The number of Covid-19 patients in Hong Kong’s hospitals doubled in recent weeks, leading health care officials to say they are concerned the epidemic situation is worsening.
There are approximately 830 patients currently hospitalised in the Asian financial center, up from roughly 400 in June. The number of serious and critical patients has risen to about 30, up from a dozen or so, she said. While officials have been preparing for a rebound, a continued increase could put tremendous pressure on the health care system, she said. If that occurs, hospitals may have to suspend non-essential care, she said. The issue is discussed every day by health care authorities, she said, although there isn’t a specific number that would trigger a suspension of some care.
Hong Kong reported 2,672 new local cases on July 6, plus an additional 143 infections among new arrivals. A Hong Kong lawmaker who met President Xi Jinping during a rare visit by the Chinese leader to the territory last week says he tested positive for COVID-19 two days after the meeting. Steven Ho, who is part of the city’s largest pro-Beijing party, the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB), tested positive for coronavirus on July 2 and has self-isolated. Ho said he had tested negative for the virus on June 30, the day he was shown in a photo with Xi, displayed by local broadcaster RTHK.
Xi was in Hong Kong to mark the 25th handover celebration of the territory to the mainland from Britain and swear in the city’s new leader John Lee. It was his first public trip outside the Chinese mainland since the coronavirus pandemic began. In the run-up to
Xi’s visit to Hong Kong, officials ramped up coronavirus testing and quarantine protocols
Source- reuters
along with a massive security force, blocking roads and the airspace around the picturesque Victoria Harbour.
China adheres to a “zero COVID” policy which aims to eradicate all outbreaks, at just about any cost, running counter to a global trend of trying to co-exist with the virus. Xi’s visit to Hong Kong was his first since 2017, when he swore in outgoing leader Carrie Lam and stayed in the city for the duration of his trip. During last week’s visit, he came into
Source- CNBC
Hong Kong on Thursday and Friday but stayed overnight in neighbouring Shenzhen. The whereabouts this time, and the reasons why he may have chosen Shenzhen, have not been officially confirmed.
The development comes as the Chinese capital is facing a new outbreak caused by highly transmissible strain that will again test the zero-tolerance strategy. Elderly people will also have to show proof of vaccination to enter community facilities such as game rooms, the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported. Previously, people at high risk of contracting or spreading Covid-19 and anyone entering an aged care home had to be fully vaccinated. The vaccine mandate is in addition to a requirement for Beijing residents to get tested every three days and show a negative result to enter public venues.
Beijing is currently enforcing alternate testing of its 21 million population.All people wanting to enter public places like museums, theatres, stadiums and gyms in Beijing will need to show proof of vaccinations. Click on the link to stay in touch with the latest COVID Policies https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/index.html#Useful_Information.
content source :- BBC.com , bloomberg.com , reuters.com.
