Coronavirus Third Wave In Hong Kong: Health Officials Say Situation 'Getting A Bit Out Of Hand'

Hong Kong is being struck with a third wave of COVID-19 cases. Health officials have warned that each person infected has the potential to spread the disease to four other people and are pleading with people to stay home.

They have admitted that the situation is “getting a bit out of hand”.

Of concern to the University of Hong Kong (HKU) microbiologist Professor Yuen Kwok-yung was that the public had lost interest in fighting the virus. Yuen told the South China Morning Post (SCMP), “The recurrence of the epidemic in Hong Kong is within expectations. As prevention and control measures around the world are loosened, the epidemic will definitely rebound.”

The professor went on to advise people to work from home if possible, avoid public events and to accept the “pain” of a reduced social life. He warned that people should be careful when visiting public places that pose a high risk like restaurants, bars, and karaoke lounges. He also pointed out that even strict government-imposed measures would not work without the cooperation of the public.

The head of Hong Kong’s Centre for Health Protection’s communicable disease branch, Dr. Chuang Shuk-kwan, echoed the other experts in advising the public to stay at home and avoid social gatherings. She admitted the pandemic was “getting a bit out of hand”.

Dr. Chuang told the SCMP, “The recent surge of new cases involves people from all walks of life, having contacts with different people such as friends and family members. There are chances that the transmission will continue. If people relax their guard, cases will shoot up and we will face a bigger outbreak. I think both the government and the public may have to tighten up measures to maintain social distancing and avoid going out as much as possible.”

Another professor, Gabriel Leung, the dean of the HKU medical school, voiced his concern over the "50 to 60 hidden cases" that he believed to be lurking in the community.

He said there was an outbreak at Shui Chuen O Estate, the largest public housing estate in Sha Tin district in Hong Kong, recently. He thought a transmission chain behind a previous cluster at Lek Yuen Estate had never ceased, meaning there were hidden cases that had not been found.

Leung cited another study that indicated an increase in the ratio of the infected per potential infectees rose from 2 ½ in March to four at present. He added the situation could continue until next year without a vaccine.

The Centre for Health Protection said the public should be prepared for small local outbreaks from time to time that would result in a tightening of social-distancing measures. The World Health Organization (WHO) warned in May that it might take five years to completely rein in the pandemic globally.