The Omicron variant strain of the novel coronavirus pneumonia continues to spread in the local community. There are many cases in Tuen Mun, the hardest-hit area, who have lived and visited, including the owner of the East Asia Pharmacy in Tuen Mun Aiding Shopping Centre. , for a female security guard working in Penny's Bay.
The Centre for Health Protection suspects that there is an invisible transmission chain in Tuen Mun District, and calls on the public to be tested even if they have mild symptoms.
At least four branches of the transmission chain were derived from the "Victorian Garden Dance Group" initiated by the mother of the quarantine-exempt flight attendant. The confirmed cases included a 37-year-old woman who attended Hong Weimin's birthday banquet, and a 43-year-old horse owner who was not on the guest list.
Chief Executive Carrie Lam announced the tightening of anti-epidemic measures, including a two-week ban on dine-in restaurants starting from January 7.
In addition, it has been previously announced that the scope of the "vaccine bubble" will be expanded on February 24 to enter 18 types of premises including restaurants, and citizens must receive at least one dose of the vaccine.
At present, the number of people who have received the first dose of the vaccine in Hong Kong has exceeded 5 million, and the center for the vaccination of Fubitai is full of reservations. The government has extended the operation hours of the vaccination center.
How serious is the Omicron epidemic in Hong Kong?
How is the vaccination status of citizens?
Can vaccine inventories cope with a new wave of epidemics?
What about the latest social distancing measures and dine-in restrictions?
Who are exempt?
The following series of charts answer them one by one.
1. The latest number of confirmed cases
As of January 12, the cumulative number of confirmed cases in Hong Kong is approaching 13,000, and many cases of the Omicron variant virus have been recorded.
As of the morning of January 11, the "Victoria Garden Dance Group" triggered by the family members of the flight attendants returning to Hong Kong has temporarily recorded four branches of communication chains and five generations of communication, including the Rongyuan Tea that participated in the birthday dinner of Hong Weimin, the representative of the Hong Kong People's Congress. The Queen of the Crown Prince, Shiya, went to a private place at 115 Connaught Road West with four friends before her birthday party. The 43-year-old female horse owner Chen Yingqin was also diagnosed with the disease.
The epidemic is spreading in the community, and Tuen Mun is the hardest-hit area. The owner of the East Asia Pharmacy in Aiding Shopping Mall, the owner and his family of four, fell ill. The Centre for Health Protection found that the early patients in the Wangyuelou group and Cathay Pacific in Tuen Mun had died in December. On the 27th, he went to the pharmacy to buy shampoo. During his short stay, the owner of the drug owner wore a mask.
In addition, a 51-year-old female security guard who lives in Po Tin Village, Tuen Mun and works in the Penny's Bay Quarantine Center was initially diagnosed yesterday. The infection route is unknown. The CHP pointed out that there may be a hidden transmission chain in the area.
2. The latest vaccination status
Hong Kong has launched a new crown vaccination program in early 2021. By early 2022, more than 5 million people have received the first dose (74.4% of the total population), more than 4.6 million people have received the second dose (69.8%), and another 522,000 people have been vaccinated The third dose has been vaccinated.
As for whether the vaccine stock is sufficient to meet the vaccination demand brought about by the expansion of the "vaccine bubble", according to the records, the Hong Kong government purchased a total of 8.5 million doses of Fubitai vaccine and 7.5 million doses of Sinovac vaccine; it is estimated that there will be a maximum of 227 10,000 doses of Fubitai vaccine and 3.76 million doses of Sinovac vaccine.
3. Vaccination is required for restaurants after Chinese New Year
The government announced that it will tighten a series of measures to prevent the Omicron variant virus, and plans to expand the scope of vaccine bubbles to premises regulated by Chapter 599F, including 18 types of premises such as restaurants and fitness centres, to enter the public after the Chinese New Year. At least one dose of the vaccine is required.
4. Customs clearance arrangements drive downloads for safe travel
In order to cooperate with the customs clearance arrangement with the Mainland, the "Hong Kong Health Code" will accept applications from December 10.
Applying for a health code requires uploading past travel records, which has led to an increase in the number of downloads of "Travel with Peace of Mind", which has exceeded 7 million by the end of December, according to the authorities.