Hong Kong’s seasonal peak in flu and Covid-19 infections might stretch into March, however there aren’t any plans to revive the masks mandate or a testing regime at border management factors, the town’s well being chief has stated.
Emergency items at 10 out of 18 public hospitals on Saturday morning noticed ready instances exceed eight hours at some factors as the town braced for a double whammy of flu and coronavirus winter surges anticipated to hit subsequent week.
“We count on the height to look round January and February. Typically talking, our winter peak usually lasts even till March,” Secretary for Well being Lo Chung-mau stated in a tv interview.
Well being officers just lately reported that the hospital admission fee for sufferers with a principal flu prognosis had already exceeded the edge, signalling the beginning of a peak season, whereas the town was additionally recording extra Covid-19 infections.
However Lo stated the federal government had no plans to reintroduce the masks mandate. Authorities additionally wouldn’t perform testing on arrivals on the airport or different management factors, until new infectious ailments emerged, he added.
“The severity of viruses is decrease, and we even have efficient vaccines, remedies and prognosis, whereas the general public is usually extra conscious of the illness,” Lo stated.
“We’re dealing with a brand new mannequin, and there’s no want to make use of a coercive methodology to manage the illness.”
Masks gross sales rise as Hong Kong heads into flu season and Covid circumstances climb
Masks gross sales rise as Hong Kong heads into flu season and Covid circumstances climb
Lo stated the Hospital Authority had added extra hospital beds, strengthened triage in emergency departments in addition to elevated the variety of locations usually outpatient clinics to deal with the rise in infections.
He additionally appealed to high-risk teams just like the aged and youngsters to get jabbed.
Kwong Wah Hospital in Mong Kok was among the many 10 public hospitals that reminded sufferers on Saturday morning that the wait at their accident and emergency departments would exceed eight hours.
The Put up noticed that dozens of individuals had been ready since early morning, with many of the out there seats within the emergency room ready space occupied by 11am.
Sam Lee, who works within the renovation trade, stated he and his spouse had waited for no less than three hours after they arrived on the hospital at 7am to see a health care provider for his or her 15-month-old daughter’s fever.
“For infants, you actually can’t wait if they’ve a fever,” he stated. “If it’s a common chilly or cough, then you may wait a bit, however it’s actually troublesome if it’s a fever.”
Others ready for his or her flip included a 36-year-old man who recognized himself solely by the surname Tam, who waited for no less than three hours for remedy to an injured ankle.
Well being officers count on peak winter flu season to hit Hong Kong subsequent week
Well being officers count on peak winter flu season to hit Hong Kong subsequent week
The general public well being researcher stated he determined to hunt medical care at a authorities hospital because it had the diagnostic imagery tools wanted to look at his damage and that the remedy was cheaper in comparison with non-public healthcare suppliers.
“If I didn’t have the necessity, I’d not come to the emergency room to queue for the higher half of the day,” he stated.
Well being officers on Thursday stated severe flu circumstances had elevated barely. Statistics confirmed 23 circumstances have been registered final week, up from 14 the week earlier than.
The proportion of respiratory specimens dealt with by public laboratories was additionally approaching the edge.
The Covid-19 viral load present in sewage samples surged by about 40 per cent between December 24 and 30 in contrast with the week earlier than.
However the authorities stated severe or deadly Covid-19 circumstances had not registered a major enhance.