[ad_1]
Image source,fake images
According to the authorities, there are multiple invisible transmission chains in the local area and the epidemic is “worsening rapidly”.
Hong Kong government departments quoted experts on Friday (20) as saying that the “fourth wave” of the new corona virus appeared in the country.
On that day, there were 26 new confirmed cases in Hong Kong, including 21 local cases, of which the source of nine local cases was unknown. These cases come from different regions and involve multiple groups, including dance groups, taxi drivers, housewives, etc. Today more than 40 cases were initially confirmed.
At this time, it had only been two weeks after CEO Carrie Lam went to Beijing to express hope that the mainland and Hong Kong would get through customs as soon as possible.
Due to severe local economic damage and high unemployment rate, the Hong Kong government is working hard to promote customs clearance with the mainland, including the recently implemented “Easy Return to Hong Kong” program that exempts Hong Kong residents. Kong from Guangdong or Macao province to return to Hong Kong from Guangdong or Macao province. Authorities believe it is a two-way customs clearance. first step. Hong Kong and Singapore recently launched a “tourist bubble” that allows residents of the two places to communicate without mandatory isolation.
However, some experts worry that, judging by the current trend of development of the epidemic, all this may be for nothing.
Image source,fake images
Authorities will add mobile test stations in some areas where confirmed cases have occurred.
The epidemic is “rapidly getting worse”
Hong Kong Food and Health Bureau Chen Zhaoshi admitted at today’s press conference that there are multiple invisible transmission chains in the local area and the epidemic is “rapidly getting worse.”
Recently there have been sporadic local infections in Hong Kong, some of which are of unknown origin. On the 19th, 12 confirmed cases were added, 4 were local infections, 2 of which were of unknown origin.
Executive Director Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor met with Guangdong provincial government officials before returning to Hong Kong from Beijing to discuss customs clearance. However, according to the Hong Kong 01 report, Guangdong province requires Hong Kong to pass border control within 14 days. Based on the current development of the Hong Kong epidemic, customs clearance is unlikely in the near future.
According to the latest data from the Hong Kong Census and Statistics Department, the unemployment rate from August to October was 6.4%, the same as from July to September. The underemployment rate was unchanged at 3.8%. In October, the local unemployed population reached approximately 250,000.
Although the labor market shows signs of stabilization, the employment situation remains difficult. Due to a new wave of epidemics, they are expected to continue to face short-term pressures.
Wu Zhuoyin, an Asia-Pacific region economist at the Bank for Foreign Trade of France, told Hong Kong media that Hong Kong’s economy has bottomed out to some extent. The bank’s latest forecast is that GDP in the fourth quarter is expected to contract 1% year-on-year and 5.6% for the year. He believes that if the fourth wave of the epidemic breaks out, annual GDP could be reduced by 7 to 8%.
Affected by the new corona pneumonia, Hong Kong’s tourism industry is in depression. The Federation of Trade Unions said late last month that it had learned that between 20 and 30 medium and large-scale travel agencies were preparing to lay off workers, affecting more than 6,000 employees, and called on the government to take action to save them. .
Pneumonia epidemic: When will the vaccine against the new coronavirus be ready?
Or reinforce epidemic prevention measures again
Yuan Guoyong, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Microbiology at the University of Hong Kong, believes current signs show that after imported cases in Hong Kong, group cases began to appear, including recently registered dance groups. There have been sporadic cases in many regions, reflecting the hidden chain of transmission.
A case confirmed yesterday (19) was that of a 75-year-old businesswoman who visited a Starlight dance club in Wan Chai during the infection. Zhang Zhujun, director of the Infectious Diseases Division of the Center for Health Protection, said a group outbreak was suspected there. The businesswoman visited this ballroom from 3 to 5 p.m. on November 14 during the infection. Currently, at least 5 initially confirmed patients have been to the Starlight Dance Club on November 13 or 14.
Yuan Guoyong pointed out that at present, it is impossible to enter the country without leaks and high-risk places, including restaurants and bars, are not well controlled. He also believes that the current mandatory quarantine on the 14th has legal loopholes, and the government should consider extending the quarantine period for people arriving in Hong Kong, adding a 7-day home quarantine to the mandatory quarantine on the 14th.
Chen Zhaoshi urged the public to wait immediately and reduce the meetings, “otherwise, the fourth wave of the epidemic could be out of control.”
Authorities are reviewing how to harden social distancing measures again. Chen Zhaoshi said that if the epidemic continues to worsen, social distancing is likely to tighten substantially, including the closure of some social venues.
In terms of improved testing, three groups will be subject to mandatory testing, including those with illnesses, nursing home employees and taxi drivers. As for grassroots citizens who are concerned that participating in the mandatory tests will affect their livelihoods, Chen Zhaoshi said that authorities are considering providing a one-time allowance for those who are diagnosed.
Furthermore, since the confirmed cases are distributed in different areas, the authorities are preparing to send mobile sampling kiosks in buildings or areas where the outbreak occurred to test citizens as soon as possible.
Image source,fake images
At the same time, an upper respiratory infection broke out in Hong Kong and some primary grades stopped teaching in person.
Worst
It should be noted that in addition to the new coronavirus, Hong Kong also has an outbreak of upper respiratory tract infections, which are spreading with a high growth trend in institutions and schools.
From last Sunday (15) until 12:00 today, the Center for Health Protection recorded an outbreak of upper respiratory infection in 133 elementary schools and one secondary school. Among elementary school students one to three, the number of cases increased by 70% during this period.
Chen Zhaoshi said that because the upper respiratory tract infection is transmitted through the same channel as the new coronavirus and has similar symptoms, he is concerned that once the new coronavirus spreads in schools, it will have a great impact on society. .
Starting next Monday (23), all students from primary one to three in Hong Kong will suspend face-to-face classes for two weeks until December 6. Kindergartens that had already suspended classes will also be suspended until the same day.
Chen Zhaoshi also said: “If the epidemic is serious, it is not ruled out that all face-to-face courses in primary and secondary schools will be suspended.”
