Analysis: Hong Kong's 'zero-COVID' success now worsens strains of Omicron spike

Like an immune system overreacting and harming the person it is meant to protect, the "dynamic zero-COVID" policies that had crushed the virus in Hong Kong have contributed to current woes, experts say. Patients lie in beds in cold, wet parking lots outside overflowing hospitals, isolation facilities are filling up and thousands queue for hours outside testing venues.

In return, most people in the global financial hub could go about their work and social lives with few restrictions. "Once effective vaccinations became available, the negative framing and policy around zero-covid adversely impacted vaccination rates, especially in the vulnerable," he said. "The messaging was not only unscientific, it paradoxically increased the risk to population health."

Asymptomatic carriers may now go to quarantine facilities or even home and close contacts may isolate at home.Plans for mass-testing from next month will likely be ineffective, some epidemiologists say, without a full mainland-style city lockdown - something Lam has ruled out. Zero-COVID messaging, some epidemiologists fear, may encourage complacency and false hopes among the largely unvaccinated elderly that the city may again become virus-free and stay that way. More than 60% of residents over age 80 have not been vaccinated, although some 85% of the entire population has had at least one shot.

"It's insane and cruel," said a 41-year-old resident whose family went through five weeks of hospital and government quarantine, including separation from their two toddlers.Hong Kong has asked Beijing for help. More than a hundred million rapid tests are on the way from the mainland, and the authorities plan to boost testing, build more isolation facilities and ensure food supplies after vegetable shortages this month.

United States Latest News, United States Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Hong Kong plans mandatory COVID-19 testing for every resident as cases climbHong Kong leaders are planning to mandate testing for the city's nearly 7.5 million residents to combat rising cases Why bother what’s the point if everyone or a greater percentage tests positive then what ? just vaccinate everyone then deal with it as best you can HongKong CovidIsNotOver COVID19 Blog I wonder why there climbing! 🤔 Canada 2.0
Source: CBSNews - 🏆 87. / 68 Read more »

Hong Kong in 'all-out combat' to contain COVID outbreak with China supportHong Kong is in 'all-out combat' to contain a surge in coronavirus cases, the city's number two official said on Sunday, with the ramping up of community isolation and treatment units helped by mainland Chinese construction teams.
Source: Reuters - 🏆 2. / 97 Read more »

Hong Kong postpones leader election amid COVID-19 outbreakHong Kong will postpone the election of its next leader until May 8 as it grapples with a worsening coronavirus outbreak with thousands of new infections daily. just another government using covid as a tool to destroy democracy, it's happening all over the world, especially Canada, USA, New Zealand and Australia the media just plays lap dog and waits for government to scratch their underbelly Oh you can’t outrun it?
Source: ABC - 🏆 471. / 51 Read more »

As Hong Kong COVID cases soar, leader suggests testing 7.5 million residentsHong Kong recorded another record high number of 6,116 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, as the city battles its worst outbreak since the pandemic began. No ventilators to be seen in and outside the hospital? Are we sure it is Covid19 and not something completely different?
Source: ABC - 🏆 471. / 51 Read more »

Hong Kong's future unclear as leadership election, lacking front-runner, is delayed by COVIDHong Kong on Friday postponed an election for a new leader until May to battle a raging COVID outbreak, but unlike previous years, there's still no front-runner for the job, adding to uncertainty about the city's future as Beijing imposes its rule.
Source: Reuters - 🏆 2. / 97 Read more »

Do Covid treatments work against the omicron subvariant? Scientists keep close watchEarly data suggests the omicron subvariant has the ability to overpower some Covid-19 treatments.
Source: NBCNewsHealth - 🏆 707. / 51 Read more »