Covid-19 Cases Continue to Surge

People waiting in long lines to be tested for Covid-19

There was more shock today to see Hong Kong log another record breaking 1,325 cases today and over 1,500 preliminary positive, which means there could be close to 2,000 cases tomorrow.

Chuang (left) announced 1,500 preliminary cases

If this is not horrifying enough to get people to get vaccinated, I don't know what else to say.

In the last few days there have been some elderly deaths related to Covid-19, practically all were not vaccinated, or had one jab. Unfortunately the Centre for Health Protection does not disclose whether those inoculated had Sinovac or BioNTech; the health authorities will only say both are effective in producing antibodies... 

But there was also a four-year-old boy on Yuen Long who died after having a fever since February 9 and vomited before he passed out and then died. It turns out now from his autopsy that he also had Covid-19.

Lee leads a delegation to Shenzhen tomorrow

Tomorrow Hong Kong and mainland officials will meet in Shenzhen to discuss how to battle Omicron, with the strong possibility of setting up a makeshift hospital. Some people on Twitter are suggesting Hong Kong International Airport's third runway that is being built now be the site, since there aren't anymore flights coming in or out.

Chief Secretary John Lee Ka-chiu is leading the delegation that includes the secretaries for security, health mainland affairs, and transport and housing. 

Hundreds of Cantonese-speaking medical and lab personnel have already come to Hong Kong to help process mass testing.

"The first two batches of colleagues, a few hundred of them, already crossed the border into Hong Kong last week. We gave priority to those who can speak Cantonese, as they will need to interact with Hong Kong people," a Guangdong health official said.

He added these people were mentally prepared to be in Hong Kong for a long stint, as they could not return to the mainland without having completed along quarantine.

How about using third runway for Covid hospital?

It makes being sent to the city sound like a hardship posting...