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| It's not true that a lockdown will be ordered in the next few days, says a government spokesman |
The government has issued a press statement denying that it
may impose a lockdown in the coming days amid a surge in Covid-19 cases.
The statement released today, Jul 21, said the rumor is
unfounded.
“In view of the severity of the epidemic situation, we
should fight the disease together. Members of the public should not be misled
by fake news, nor should they spread any rumour that can lead to unnecessary
fear,” the statement said.
The statement came as health officials reported 61 new
confirmed Covid-19 cases, one of the biggest daily tallies since the outbreak
began in January. The total tally now stands at 2,019.
Two deaths were also reported within the day, which raised
the total fatality rate to 14.
The first casualty was a 77-year-old male confirmed patient
at Queen Mary Hospital
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Less than an hour later, a 87-year-old male patient who also
had Covid-19 died at Prince of Wales Hospital in Shatin.
Both had chronic diseases but were in stable condition when
admitted to hospital – the first on Jul 16 and the other on Jul 9.
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| An elderly male patient at Prince of Wales Hospital was among two deaths reported today |
Among three imported cases today was a Filipino seafarer.
Talks of a lockdown began when a top microbiologist Prof
Yuen Kwok-yung warned during a radio interview Monday that a “virtual lockdown”
may be necessary if the coronavirus cases increase in the next week or so.
Asked about the statement, Dr Chuang Shuk-kwan of the Centre
for Health Protection did not rule out more stringent measures if the number of
cases continued to rise.
Sunday saw a record 108 confirmed cases being reported.
Yesterday, 73 more positive cases were added to the total figure, the second
highest on record.
As in the start of the month, when the so-called third wave
of infections occurred, the cases were spread out across several districts in
Hong Kong, and many had unknown origin.
Today reflected the same phenomenon, with 58 local cases
reported from various districts and establishments, and with many family
members being infected at the same time.
Chuang said 34 of the cases had links to previous ones, but
the source of the 24 others could not yet be determined.
Hospital Authority’s chief manager Linda Yu said that the
surge in new cases was putting pressure on the city’s public hospitals. As of
now, almost 70 percent of the isolation beds are occupied, and two hospitals
are already near capacity.
“We are also worried. If the situation does not improve we
will not have enough beds,” Yu said.
She also noted that 29 patients are now in critical
condition, up from seven yesterday. A further 11 patients are seriously ill.
Chuang reiterated an appeal for people not to seek Covid-19
test if they do not have symptoms, to avoid overloading the public healthy
system.
“If you have no symptoms and are just worried, please do not
go tested because you will burden the medical system such that those who really
need it have to wait longer,” she said.
The doctors also issued an appeal for blood donation, saying
what is collected daily at the moment is not enough to meet the needs of the
hospitals.
Among today’s cases were a number involving various
hospitals. A patient at Pamela
Youde Nethersole
Eastern Hospital
A total of 40 health case staff and 33 patients have been
tested after the incident, and all the results are negative.
At Ruttonjee
Hospital
An 84-year-old patient in the general ward of Queen Elizabeth
Hospital
Among the local cases with unknown source was a 64-year-old
woman who accompanied residents of various elderly homes to hospitals. Her case
is being investigated.
