The fifth wave of the COVID-19 outbreak has lasted for more than two and a half months. The government disclosed yesterday (16th) that a total of 184,390 confirmed cases have been reported in the early rapid test, reflecting that more than 960,000 people have been infected by the current wave. Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said at a press conference this morning (17th) that Omicron had mild symptoms but a large number of infected people, including a large number of elderly people who needed treatment. There are currently 10,368 patients in the hospital, of which 81 are in critical condition and more than 130 are in serious condition.
Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor clarified that she never said that the nationwide compulsory inspection will be conducted on the 26th of this month, refuting that the online circulation is not the implementation details, but admitted that a detailed plan has been started at the end of February, including manpower calculation and finding suitable places for testing centers. She pointed out that national testing needs to be prepared, otherwise it will be difficult to start by then, and the latest anti-epidemic measures will be announced early next week. She said earlier that the epidemic has been the most critical in the past two months, and now it has been about a month. She believes that the patience of the public is waning, so she needs to explain the latest measures of the measures, emphasizing that the anti-epidemic policy needs to be evaluated, and will explain it as soon as possible, but not Only testing for the whole population will cover the update report of all anti-epidemic measures.
Regarding the criticism of the Hong Kong government’s ability to deal with the epidemic on social platforms, Lam pointed out that there are many rumors and speculations on social platforms, and she suggested “don’t watch, listen, and believe.” When asked about entry and exit measures, the outside world suggested that people from areas with relatively mild epidemics should be allowed to come to Hong Kong. Lam pointed out that the hospital facilities are insufficient, and if multiple flights arrive in Hong Kong to detect cases, it will increase the local medical burden.
She also pointed out that the manpower to take care of elderly patients at AsiaWorld-Expo will be strengthened. In the future, the treatment capacity will continue to be strengthened, and the number of hospital beds and manpower will be increased, including the medical team in the Mainland to take care of the patients. Although 20% of the staff of the Hospital Authority are infected, but Half of them have returned to work. As for medicines, she pointed out that two kinds of oral medicines have already arrived in Hong Kong, and there are sufficient quantities to be given to newly infected people to avoid becoming severely ill.