Hong Kong executive chief Carrie Lam said on Sunday a "critical" situation in the fight against the coronavirus, the former British colony having identified more than 100 new infections in 24 hours, a record.
The semi-autonomous region was one of the first areas affected by the epidemic that emerged in central China. But it initially recorded very good results in the fight against the Covid-19, to the point that it had almost ended in June in the local contaminations.
However, the number of cases has gone up in the past two weeks and doctors are struggling to identify the chains of transmission of the coronavirus in the very densely populated territory of 7.5 million inhabitants.
500 cases in two weeks
It is unclear, in particular, whether these contaminations are linked to the return of protests against the Chinese regime, which recently adopted a controversial national security law, condemned by many Western countries and effectively gagging any political opposition.
VIDEO. Thousands of protesters return to the streets in Hong Kong
Carrie Lam announced Sunday that more than 500 new infections have been recorded in the past two weeks. A total of 108 new cases were identified on Sunday, a record. This brings the total in the city to 1886 cases, including 12 deaths.
"I think the situation is really critical and there is nothing to suggest that it is being brought back under control", regretted Carrie Lam in front of the journalists.
Wearing a mandatory mask
Authorities last week ordered further social distancing measures, including the closure of sports halls or nightclubs, further imposing the wearing of masks on public transport. Restaurants can only be taken out from 6 p.m.
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Carrie Lam announced new measures on Sunday, including a plan to make it mandatory to wear a mask in public indoor spaces, or the obligation to work from home for non-essential public service personnel.