Omicron｜Kong Fanyi: If the epidemic is under control within a week after the Chinese New Year, dine-in dinners are expected to end at 8:00

The outbreak of the new coronavirus variant strain Omicron continues to spread, and the cumulative number of infected cases in Kwai Chung Village has increased to 334.

Kong Fanyi, a clinical professor at the Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Hong Kong University, said on the TV program "Millennium" today that the number of new cases in Kwai Chung Village has gradually declined, reflecting the effectiveness of home quarantine and mandatory testing measures, and the epidemic in the village seems to be under control. The closure can be lifted if the increase in cases falls to single digits.

He also pointed out that if the epidemic is under control in the next week, it is expected that social distancing measures will be fine-tuned in the week after the Chinese New Year, including the extension of the evening market in restaurants to 8 pm, with a maximum of four people per group, etc.

▼1.7 The first night of the ban on dine-in, citizens buy takeaways▼

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The daily number of confirmed diagnoses needs to fall back to double digits or single digits

Kong Fanyi said that the number of newly diagnosed cases in Kwai Chung Village has gradually declined, reflecting the effectiveness of home isolation and forced inspection measures, but he is concerned about outbreaks in other areas, and it is also important to control the source in the future.

He estimates that there will still be a slight increase in the number of cases in a short period of time, but fortunately, there are about 100 cases per day, and there is no geometric outbreak. If the number of cases gradually falls back to double digits, or even single digits, it can be seen that the epidemic is under control.

▼1.26 Residents of Kwai Chung Village continue to be tested ▼

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Regarding small outbreaks at multiple workplaces and 7 cases with unknown origins, Kong Fanyi believes that as long as he makes more efforts to track down, ask each patient thoroughly, and the other party truthfully explains it, plus the travel records of peace of mind, he will have the opportunity to track down all the cases. The cases, together with those who have been in contact with people who have not been infected with the virus, will be forcibly tested, which is believed to help control the current wave of the epidemic.

As for when the enclosed building can be lifted, Kong Fanyi pointed out that the incubation period of Omicron is about 3 days, and the time of illness can reach 7 to 10 days. Therefore, he believes that the 7-day enclosure may not be enough. It depends on the number of confirmed cases and the response. Even with no new cases, it is believed that the blockade can be lifted.

He also pointed out that even if the residents are trapped in the building, they are tested every day, they can quickly send the patient to the hospital after being diagnosed, and they also wear masks while waiting outside. I believe that the chances of cross infection are very small.

In terms of social distancing measures, he believes that if the epidemic is under control in the next week, it is possible to partially resume dine-in dinners one week after the Chinese New Year, with business hours extended to 8:00 p.m., four people per group, etc., but full recovery may take a few more weeks.

Should Kwai Chung Village be closed?

Kong Fanyi points out that the government is incapable of sending them to quarantine: staying and returning to the village is the safest way to fight the epidemic for two years｜I expect Omicron to be like a flu in the future Vaccine Bubble | Hope the vaccination rate will reach 90% in April, Kong Fanyi advocates injecting Omicron in markets and parks | Kong Fanyi: If more people are diagnosed, the number of gatherings should be tightened and large-scale activities should be stopped