Yesterday the government announced a new Omicron case in which the patient had stayed at the airport for 4 days.
He Boliang, director of the Infection and Infectious Diseases Center of the University of Hong Kong, pointed out that it is still unknown whether some people, including airport employees who are listed as close contacts, are "successful" and the danger has not been completely eliminated.
He suggested that the authorities strengthen prevention and control measures, including tightening the vaccinations requirements for existing transit passengers; and referring to mainland practices, for international flights, use scientific data such as flight time, the local epidemic situation and outbreak rate, and the number of flight passengers to distinguish.
He Boliang is also worried that if the airport's epidemic prevention gap is not addressed and dealt with squarely, "IKEA insists on tight customs clearance, and the public will stand up to it. I am worried that it will suddenly become a mirage and customs clearance will become a bubble."
The Centre for Health Protection announced yesterday (1st) that a 38-year-old man (case 12433) who had been diagnosed with new coronary pneumonia in Hong Kong from another place was confirmed to have the mutant virus strain Omicron. The patient had travelled to Nigeria from Papua New Guinea. Arrived in Hong Kong via Qatar and stayed at the Hong Kong airport for 4 days due to visa problems.
The crisis has not been lifted by He Boliang: The authorities should tighten the arrangements for injections by people in transit
The Director of the Infection and Infectious Diseases Center of the University of Hong Kong, Ho Pak Leung, stated on a radio program today (2nd) that the case has not yet entered the community, but the danger has not been completely eliminated. Some people include airport employees who are listed as close contacts. "Success" is still unknown.
He believes that only when the test results of close contacts are all negative and "at least one more week" can we rest assured.
He also pointed out that the same incident was not the first time it happened. There were also cases stranded in Hong Kong's airport in the middle of last year. At that time, the government and the Airport Authority had taken countermeasures to reduce the number of cases later, but this time the case is recurring. The solution of this case has not been implemented (relevant measures)".
The confirmed patient has not been vaccinated. He believes that the authorities should strengthen relevant measures. Although under the current arrangement, only immigrants are required to be vaccinated, but with the current international travel arrangements, it should be tightened. Daily testing is performed. If the person stays for a long time, they should be sent for quarantine. Because the patient stays at the airport for a long time, it is inevitable that the mask will be removed, which is likely to cause cross-infection with airport employees and other passengers.
He Boliang, director of the Infection and Infectious Diseases Center of the University of Hong Kong, pointed out that it is still unknown whether some people, including airport employees who are listed as close contacts, are "successful" and the danger has not been completely eliminated.
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If the captain does not deal with the gap, the customs clearance will be in vain
He also questioned that the patient was diagnosed on the 27th, and the variant virus Omicron was detected in the next four days. "The microphone can be accelerated, it should be possible (speed up), it will take four days to understand," criticizing the government for its delay. The whereabouts and tracking of airport employees listed as close contacts have not been announced.
He bluntly said: "Don't face up to the gap in the airport. IKEA insists on customs clearance. The citizens will stand by and endure it. I am worried that it will suddenly become a mirage and customs clearance will become a bubble."
It is recommended to refer to mainland practices to distinguish between international flights
He suggested that the authorities can learn from the experience of this case. For example, consider referring to mainland practices. For international flights, distinguish between flight time, epidemic situation and outbreak rate, number of flight passengers and other scientific data to further strengthen management. " The mainland does not have the same level of anti-epidemic equipment for aircraft meals and airport personnel."
He Boliang also described that the current goal of "clearing to zero" is only in the transitional period. "After the transitional period is completed, we must return to extensive universal vaccinations." He bluntly said: "Universal vaccinations are not out of reach. Both Hong Kong vaccines are good. It’s safe. Some people don’t want to "lie down." The government has to take measures to promote it. It depends on customs clearance and grounding. It is not a long-term solution."
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