Hong Kong’s leader, Carrie Lam, has said an “onslaught” of Covid-19 infections has dealt a heavy blow and overwhelmed capacity to deal with the virus as daily cases surge to record highs.
Daily infections have multiplied by a factor of 13 over the past two weeks, from about 100 cases at the start of February to a record 2,071 on 14 February, with authorities scrambling to control the deepening outbreak. The figure is expected to more than double on Tuesday, with another 4,730 preliminary positive cases also announced.
Lam said on Monday her government would coordinate with Chinese officials to tackle the “aggravating situation” after China said it would help the city with testing, treatment and quarantine.
“The onslaught of the fifth wave of the epidemic has dealt a heavy blow to Hong Kong and overwhelmed the city’s capacity of handling,” she said. “The situation is highly undesirable and the government feels worried and sorry about it.”
Her top officials would coordinate with the central government to enhance Hong Kong’s testing and isolation facilities, and secure resources from rapid antigen kits and protective gear to fresh vegetables, she said.
The Chinese territory reported 1,347 new infections on Sunday, down from Saturday’s record, but the spread with 2,000 more suspected cases threatens its overstretched healthcare system, authorities said.
More than 3,600 people were in hospital, with isolation beds at 90% capacity. Ten people were in a critical condition. The deaths of four elderly men were also reported on Monday.
“We cannot let the occupancy rate of our isolation beds reach 100%, as we must reserve some spaces,” said Dr Sara Ho Yuen-ha, the chief manager of the hospital authority. Another 4,700 people were isolating at home.
It was also revealed that a “vast amount of specimens” taken from the mass compulsory testing drives had led to delays, with about 1,000 preliminary positive results from Sunday still not yet confirmed, and authorities were now treating all preliminary positives as cases for admission to hospital or isolation.
However Lam said there were also delays in patients accessing isolation, because of the surge in numbers. On Monday afternoon authorities said a hotline would be set up for those people.
Hong Kong has struggled to increase its vaccination rate, especially among the elderly. Overall, about 74% of the population (aged 12 and older) have received two doses of a vaccine, and 83% at least one. However, recent government statements have indicated the figures for older demographics are below 50%.
Health experts have suggested many older people were advised not to risk possible vaccine side-effects early on when Hong Kong was Covid-free, and have not turned up to be vaccinated since.
Some 1.23 million people have received their booster shot, and 6.7% of children aged 5-11 have received their first dose.
From Tuesday, children as young as three will be able to receive the Sinovac vaccine. The Hong Kong government has not released data on the proportions of different vaccines administered.
Instead Hong Kong is relying on restrictions not implemented since early in the pandemic. Last week, public gatherings were restricted to a maximum of two people, while many businesses and public areas have been ordered to close. Borders remain closed with strict quarantine and close contact isolation requirements as well as mandatory testing.
Hong Kong has recorded 25,051 cases since the pandemic began, and about 11,700 of those are just in this fifth wave that began in December. Medical experts warn there could be 28,000 daily infections by the end of March, with the unvaccinated elderly a particular worry.
Hong Kong was prioritising elderly people, children and those in serious conditions in hospitals, said Larry Lee, the chief manager at the city’s Hospital Authority.
Lam said authorities would “spare no effort” to implement the “dynamic zero” coronavirus infection strategy in Hong Kong, which, like mainland China, sought to curb outbreaks as soon as they occured, in contrast with many other places trying to live with Covid.
However health experts have warned that with the high transmissibility of the Omicron variant, the high-cost, restrictive and lengthy measures required to fully contain the outbreak could prove unsustainable.