The fifth wave of the epidemic deteriorated rapidly, and it was found that a new variant of Omicron "BA.2 subtype" infection group with enhanced transmission was caused by a Pakistani woman who was infected in a quarantine hotel and transmitted to 9 relatives and friends. The group of patients is suspected of being infected. Infected two neighbors upstairs, as well as classmates who took the same exam.
Authorities say the "BA.2 subtype" variant strain is more transmissible and fears that the potential crisis is worse than earlier groups.
At the same time, a delta transmission chain appeared in the community. The Little Boss pet shop in Causeway Bay found a new customer who was initially diagnosed with the disease. After examining the animal samples in the store and the warehouse, the authorities decided to cull about 2,000 hamsters and small animals in Hong Kong.
Another case of unknown origin was added yesterday (18th), a female teacher who lives in Mei Foo New Village and works in a kindergarten in North Point.
Chief Executive Carrie Lam announced the tightening of anti-epidemic measures, including the ban on dine-in restaurants in the evening market and the closure of 18 types of premises until February 3.
In addition, she recently announced that if the epidemic is under control, the "vaccine bubble" will be expanded as early as February 4 as a condition for resumption of business. When entering 18 types of premises such as restaurants, citizens must receive at least one dose of vaccine.
At present, the number of people who have received the first dose of the vaccine in Hong Kong has exceeded 5.1 million, and many centers for the vaccination of Fubitai are full of reservations. The government has extended the operation hours of the vaccination centers.
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
The cumulative number of confirmed cases in Hong Kong exceeded 13,000, and many Omicron cases were recorded. Yesterday (18th), 18 new cases were confirmed, 11 of which were local infections, hitting a new high since the fifth wave of the outbreak.
2. The latest vaccination status
Since the start of the new crown vaccination program in Hong Kong in early 2021, more than 5.1 million people have received the first dose (75.8% of the total population), more than 4.7 million people have received the second dose (70%), and more than 620,000 people have been vaccinated Third stitch.
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 as soon as February 4, including 18 types of premises such as restaurants and fitness centers. Entering the public is required to receive at least one dose of the vaccine.
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.
