Hong Kong facing hospital crisis amid worst Covid outbreak
First Published: 20th February, 2022 12:59 IST
Hong Kong is experiencing its worst Covid-19 outbreak in history, leaving residents with an overburdened healthcare system and increasing restrictions while the rest of the world opens up. Although the
Hong Kong is experiencing its worst Covid-19 outbreak in history, leaving residents with an overburdened healthcare system and increasing restrictions while the rest of the world opens up.
Although the city’s “zero-Covid” policy is strict it helped keep the virus at bay for months.
When the highly transmissible Omicron form broke through Hong Kong’s defences, officials were caught off guard, with a population that was severely under-vaccinated and few strategies in place to deal with a widespread epidemic.
Also Read: Children in England with rare life-threatening illness to get world’s most expensive drug
The highly contagious Omicron strain was discovered in Hong Kong’s local community in late December, much later than the rest of the world.
Authorities immediately banned flights and put some restrictions in place. These precautions, however, had little impact on Omicron’s spread.
In less than two months, Hong Kong had registered nearly 20,200 illnesses as of Friday, exceeding its two-year total of around 12,000 illnesses.
The administration is now looking for a location for a temporary mega-hospital, as well as mainland assistance with testing capacity and quarantine facility construction.
Hong Kong’s protocol during previous epidemics was to hospitalise all Covid-19 patients, even those with minor symptoms.
When the medical staff was overburdened and ran out of isolation space, bleak photos emerged this week showing an overburdened medical staff transporting elderly patients on gurneys outside in freezing conditions.
Patients who were concerned waited in long lines outside hospitals, possibly exposing themselves to the general public.
According to Professor Benjamin Cowling, Head of the Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the University of Hong Kong’s School of Public Health, authorities need a fresh approach as the numbers continue to rise.
COMMENTS
TOPMOST STORY NOW
Live Vishal Kumar, Returning Officer for West Tripura LS seat briefs media
19th April 2024Live Nagaland Chief Electoral Officer briefs media after voting officially ends
19th April 2024Live Lok Sabha Polls: Meghalaya CEO BDR Tiwari briefs media
19th April 2024Live Indefinite shutdown and poll boycott in Eastern Nagaland: ENPO president speaks to Northeast Live
19th April 2024WE RECOMMEND
“India’s national election is Maha Kumbh Mela of Democracy”: US Diplomat Atul Keshap
The world's largest democratic exercise kicked off in the country today, with the first phase of polling in 102 constituencies across 21 states and Union Territories.
19th April 2024Israel will make its own decision to defend itself, says Benjamin Netanyahu
Netanyahu made the remark at the cabinet meeting on Wednesday after meeting with the foreign ministers of the UK and Germany.
18th April 2024US to impose new sanctions against Iran after attack on Israel
Earlier on Saturday, Iran launched several drones and missiles towards Israel in retaliation for the alleged Israeli air strike on its consulate in Syria that resulted in the killing of Iran's three top generals
17th April 2024India’s tariff removal on several US products benefiting farmers: Katherine Tai
Notably, the six disputes in the WTO were resolved during PM Modi's state visit to the US in June
17th April 2024Bhutan King grants an audience to Editor-in-Chief Wasbir Hussain at Thimphu
King Wangchuck said that Assam will automatically be a cog in the wheel of the GMC Project
16th April 2024