The Omicron variant virus has entered the community. The Department of Health recently warned that Hong Kong may be at the critical point of the fifth wave of epidemics.
Professor Yuan Guoyong of the Department of Microbiology of the University of Hong Kong stated on the wireless program "Speaking Clearly on Chu" today (2nd) that the air cleaner of Wangyue Tower in Festival Walk is installed on the ceiling, preventing the air from flowing up and down in the store, resulting in short-distance air transmission. It is believed that the current air exchange requirements of restaurants should be applied to schools in day schools.
When asked whether the epidemic has entered the fifth wave, he bluntly said that there must be a chance of an outbreak, but if all efforts are made and frequent testing is done early, I believe that the infected person can be identified as soon as possible, and Hong Kong can continue to defend it.
He believes that as citizens become immune, the new crown virus may be just like a common flu virus in the future, but if it changes as fast as influenza A, it may need to be given a booster every year.
Yuan Guoyong, Chair Professor, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Hong Kong University.
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Mochizuki Tower may have a "dead position" that causes contaminated air to gather and short-distance air transmission
Yuan Guoyong said that there have been group outbreaks in restaurants and bars in the past. It is too early to say whether the Wangyuelou group belongs to super transmission, but it seems to be related to short-distance air transmission.
He explained that even if an air purifier is installed on the ceiling, it only stays on the upper floor to purify the air and cannot circulate the upper and lower air. In addition, there are dead spaces to gather the air, which makes it unable to function in disguise. He hopes the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department will serve as a restaurant. Provide relevant clear guidance.
Difficult to track cash payment diners Yuan Guoyong advocates the use of Bluetooth technology: should not be afraid of affecting privacy
In terms of diners tracking, Yuan pointed out that the Hong Kong government can only do everything possible. Even if credit cards can be used to track them, some diners pay with cash and still have the opportunity to leak cases. He called on the diners who had visited to be tested as soon as possible to have a chance to control the outbreak.
He also pointed out that even if the tracking uses Bluetooth technology or involves privacy issues, if the tracking is not good enough to be isolated as soon as possible, there will be a serious outbreak in the community.
As for crew testing, Yuan believes that they can detect cases in the early stages of the infection because of their frequent testing. Their family members have not seen infections for the time being. This reflects that early and frequent testing can be effective, and it is recommended that crews should be checked every day.
▼The third injection in November▼
Worried that schoolchildren will bring the virus home from the school
Yuan also believes that the requirement of 6 or more fresh air changes per hour should not be limited to the 18 listed locations. He bluntly stated that schools should do a lot better. He explained that influenza has severe outbreaks in schools every year, but he has not heard of the Bureau of Education for the time being. Clear guidelines and monitoring have been put forward to solve the air problem in schools where many people gather. They worry that if an outbreak occurs in the school, school children will take the virus home and infect the elderly at home.
Zeroing is just buying time for citizens to get vaccinated
Yuan Guoyong bluntly said that the fifth wave of the epidemic will definitely have a chance to break out. If the existing measures are taken, it is estimated that it can still be maintained. He reiterated that the zero-clearing policy is not a long-term solution. , So that we can protect ourselves from serious virus infections", worrying about customs clearance in the future, but the coverage rate in Hong Kong is still low, and serious outbreaks are prone to occur. By then, the HA services will be paralyzed, and the elderly who have not been vaccinated will pass away. The Hong Kong government only encouraged citizens to voluntarily get vaccinated, and then "somewhat forced" citizens to get vaccinations.
The fifth wave of epidemics will definitely have a chance to break out. If existing measures are taken, it is estimated that they can still be maintained. The zero-clearing policy is just buying time and waiting for every Hong Kong citizen to have the opportunity to be vaccinated, so that they can protect themselves from serious virus infections.
Yuan Guoyong, Chair Professor, Department of Microbiology, Hong Kong University
There is no need to tighten social distancing measures if unidentified cases have appeared in the community
He said that the vaccine is only 70% effective for Omicron. It is not expected that everyone can reduce severe illness after vaccination, but without vaccination, the condition may be worse, and it is unknown whether the next more violent, lung-injury variant virus will usher in. , By then, "I won't be able to fight."
As for whether social distancing measures need to be tightened, he believes that no unknown cases have appeared in the community for the time being, so it may not be necessary for the time being. However, it is hoped that the public should wear masks and pay attention to hygiene.
Facing the lack of a timetable for customs clearance, he believes that there are local cases related to imported cases in Hong Kong, and it is very reasonable for the Mainland to be unwilling to clear customs with Hong Kong, so as to avoid increasing the risk of imported cases from the Mainland. It is difficult to continue to become an international city.
In the third year, the epidemic may end
When asked whether the vaccine should be vaccinated permanently in the future, Yuan Guoyong did not answer, but for example, there are 450,000 new diseases every day in the United States. After 6 to 8 weeks, it may spread to most people in the United States. Immunity and vaccination. In the future, the new crown virus may become a common flu virus or even a cold. It may be needed every year, such as the change as fast as influenza A, or a supplementary injection every year, if the change is slow or only for several years. Make up, such as weakening or just wearing a mask.
For the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) Tan Desai said: "As we enter the third year of the pandemic, I am confident that we will end it in 2022." Yuan Guoyong believes that natural infections will increase immunity and citizens. People who have been vaccinated, chronically ill, and elderly people may have passed away. Scientists generally expect the epidemic to end three years after the outbreak.
▼Location of Community Vaccination Center (from January 1, 2022)▼
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