epidemic. Latest | Hong Kong's quarantine measures are strict, next year's World Dragon Boat Championships will be held in Thailand

The Department of Health announced yesterday (16th) that there were 8,999 new confirmed cases of the new coronavirus, an increase of 10% on a daily basis and a rebound for two consecutive days. Zhang Zhujun, director of the Infectious Diseases Division of the Centre for Health Protection, said that the recent increase in the number of confirmed cases reflects the fact that the Mid-Autumn Festival is related to public activities. , the Department of Health will keep an eye on whether the numbers fluctuate or go down steadily, she hopes it is a significant downturn.

The Medical and Health Bureau announced last night that it will revise the "Temporary Vaccine Pass" applicable to all persons aged 12 or above who come to Hong Kong from today (17th), requiring them to receive at least two doses of the vaccine, that is, those coming from the Mainland, Macau and Taiwan, No longer enjoy the free injection "offer".

However, the authorities said that under the national joint prevention and control framework, vaccination is not a general requirement for travel between provinces/cities/districts, and there is no requirement for people entering the mainland from Hong Kong to be vaccinated. Therefore, the SAR government has no plan to require the mainland to come to Hong Kong People must be vaccinated so as not to hinder the normal flow of people between the two places.

Overview of yesterday's epidemic:

epidemic.

9.16｜Diagnosis rebounded to 9000 level, temporary vaccine pass tightened from Saturday

The average effective reproduction rate of local cases dropped to 0.9826 on September 15, and finally fell below 1, but it still means that each patient infects one person.

(Photo of HKU Faculty of Medicine)

▼September 14th, the first Japanese "semi-free travel" tour group departs ▼

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Mainland research estimates that Omicron has a lower mortality rate than influenza Expert: Real data discussion is more appropriate

[13:33] Recently, a number of experts and government officials exchanged fires, arguing whether the death rate of the new crown is similar to or lower than that of influenza.

According to a study published earlier by Harbin Engineering University in China, data from South Africa, the United States and Canada were used to simulate the spread of new coronary pneumonia, and the difference between Omicron and influenza was calculated, and Omicron was described as an "exaggerated version of seasonal influenza", although higher than that of influenza. It has a lower transmission rate but a lower death rate than the flu, and the study concluded that previous public health measures against seasonal influenza were effective against Omicron, and the findings have been accepted for publication in the International Journal of Infectious Diseases.

[13:31] The International Dragon Boat Federation held a special membership meeting this morning.

Due to the current quarantine and isolation arrangements for visitors to Hong Kong, it is still stricter than other countries.

It was approved by the conference that the 2023 World Dragon Boat Championships will be held in Thailand.

The Hong Kong Dragon Boat Association expressed regret for this decision, but will continue to work hard to strive for the opportunity to host other international events.

[12:16] The government dispatched staff to check the test certificates of the persons under inspection at the entrance and exit of Victoria Harbour Tower 8, Tai Kok Tsui, starting from about 8:30 am today (17th), to confirm whether they have complied with the requirements of the mandatory inspection notice A total of 302 persons were tested during the operation.

Three of them were found to have failed to comply with the mandatory testing notice and have been issued with mandatory testing orders.

They were required to undergo testing within a specified period, and the Government issued fixed penalty notices of $10,000 to two of them.

Customs clearance｜Lin Shixiong hopes to pass through the mainland this year: what the people want is to gradually restore shipping to the outside world and prepare to return to normal

[11:44] The Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Lin Shixiong, said in a radio program today (17th) that due to the impact of the epidemic, airlines have suffered a serious loss of manpower. Able to cooperate.

He mentioned that the airports in many places were chaotic in the early days of the return to normal, and the authorities would take this as a lesson and gradually restore the carrying capacity.

Lin Shixiong described customs clearance with the mainland as "the aspiration of the people" and hoped to clear customs before 2023.

He said that even though the customs clearance date is currently undecided, the government is still negotiating with the mainland to optimize long-term customs clearance arrangements, including the transformation of the high-speed rail into subways.

Lu Chongmao: There are twice as many severe cases of non-influenza deaths from the new crown, and there are many expert opinions, but a unified plan is needed

[10:47] Is the lethality of the new crown virus equal to that of the flu? The government and experts have continued to exchange fire for the past few days. Lu Chongmao, director of the Medical and Health Bureau, once again emphasized on the radio program today (17th) that the new crown is not influenza, and the new crown is severe There are twice as many deaths as the flu. It would be misleading to say that the new crown is similar to the flu.

There are many opinions on experts' judgment on the epidemic. He said that the government absolutely respects experts and opinions, but ultimately needs a unified plan.

Lu Chongmao of the Medical and Health Bureau believes that the fifth wave of the new crown epidemic has killed more than 9,500 people in just eight months, and the average mortality rate is about 0.6%, which is six times that of influenza.

(with pictures on the blog)

▼From February 24th, you must use "Safe Travel" to enter designated places▼

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▼On the Mid-Autumn Festival on September 10, parents bring their young children to get the new crown vaccine▼

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▼December 12, 2021 New World Victoria Harbour Swimming resumes▼

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Mortality as low as 0.1%?

Zhang Zhujun: No injections still high risk 80-year-old zero injection mortality rate over 14% increase of 8999 confirmed cases after the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday for three consecutive days Transfer to the Coroner's Court for follow-up temporary vaccine pass | From Saturday, those entering the country aged 12 or above must take two doses of the vaccine before they can get the red code to leave the street | 18-year-old man was diagnosed on the 5th day when he left home for a ride and tried to enter a restaurant. Today, he will be fined 8,000 yuan. For example, the two medical centers of medical care have given 45 people the expired Fubitai vaccine. The longest expiry date is 61 days, and there is no need to fight the epidemic again.

▼The Standard Chartered Marathon will resume on October 24, 2021▼

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Mortality and return to normal are the hindrances. Lu Chongmao: Only medical rehabilitation can really restore normal in a vacuum?

Leung Pak-yin: International customs clearance is what the people want. Some people are still dragging their feet. New World Victoria Harbour Swimming will be held on 10.23. There are 1,500 swimmers who must get all injections and hold "Blue Code" Trailwalkers | The government urges to reduce the number of people Oxfam Decided to cancel the physical competition and apply for the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon to be held in February next year Cancellation Tian Zong: The Standard Chartered Marathon has not yet been approved by the government. There is no choice but to cancel the Standard Chartered Marathon. Zeng Center Coordination: I am very sorry to cancel Zheng Yongshun and urge to maintain communication

▼Compulsory testing announcement from September 10▼

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Diagnosed buildings | The newly added buildings rebounded to 3,485 Tianzhu, Dijingwan, and Bihaitiantian on the list for mandatory testing | 65 more buildings in Yongjingtai in the middle of the mountain, and three buildings in the Parkland Bay were listed on the list of Shamjing Wave Crest Garden, Tseung Kwan O Azure Bay Waiting for the sewage to be positive, four districts sent 255,000 sets of quick test kits, 3 people in Shunying House, Shunzhi Court, Kwun Tong, were found to have failed to comply with the announcement of compulsory inspection and 1 person was charged and fined 10,000 yuan

▼iPhone 14 will be available for pickup on September 16▼

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After being diagnosed on August 26, Zhuo Yongxing finally returned to work. Zhuo Yongxing is now in the area: especially to crack down on shops blocking the street with red and yellow codes. Could not return to Hong Kong next Tuesday as scheduled