In just under two months, Hong Kong went from being one of the best places in the world at controlling COVID-19 to one of the worst. READ:
HONG KONG — In just under two months, Hong Kong went from being one of the best places in the world at controlling coronavirus disease 2019 to one of the worst.
But with infections spilling over on to the mainland and local cases hovering around 30,000 per day among a population of just 7.4 million, there needs to be a clear exit strategy, in line with learning to live with the virus, like other major cities, rather than trying to eradicate it, health experts say.
“The disaster unfolding within our hospital system is predictable, preventable, and political,” said Dr. David Owens, a founder of OT&P clinics and an honorary clinical assistant professor in family medicine at the University of Hong Kong. Tens of thousands have left, with net outflows showing an exodus of more than 45,000 people so far in March, compared with nearly 17,000 in December before the fifth wave of the pandemic hit, prompting fears for Hong Kong’s longer-term competitiveness.Ms. Lam has yet to give guidance for how Hong Kong can resume some semblance of normality, despite daily press briefings where she discusses details from sewage testing to thanking mainland authorities for their support.
“We need to be doing all that heavy thinking process now. Because you have to make plans accordingly.” Increasing vaccinations to over 90% from about 80% currently is key, while protecting the most vulnerable, like those in nursing homes, the experts said. Currently only 56% of those over 80 have been vaccinated.