China to support Hong Kong as infections set to hit new record

On Feb 11, 2022

China will fully support Hong Kong with its dynamic zero COVID-19 strategy as the territory is expected to hit a new record for daily infections on Friday.

A spokesperson for the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office (HKMAO), which comes under China’s State Council or cabinet, said in a statement, The central government was highly concerned about the safety and health of residents as well as the economy and people’s livelihoods.

“It would hold a meeting of mainland and Hong Kong officials in neighbouring Shenzhen in the near future to maintain stability and come up with policies to support Hong Kong’s fight against the disease.

“As long as Hong Kong asks, the motherland will surely respond, hand in hand, we will surely be able to overcome the epidemic soon,” it said.

The global financial hub will report at least 1,325 new COVID-19 cases on Friday, a new record after infections doubled to a 1,161 cases on Wednesday.

The Chinese government will help improve Hong Kong’s testing capability and set up another quarantine facility.

The mainland is also preparing to send thousands of medical and lab workers and millions of testing kits to Hong Kong, with the daily coronavirus screening capacity to be increased from 100,000 tests to 3000,000 tests.

Hong Kong has seen a 10-fold rise in cases since Feb. 1 and medical experts warn the city could see 28,000 daily infections by the end of March, with the unvaccinated.

The increase is proving to be the biggest test for Hong Kong’s policy of virus suppression as capacity for hospital beds, isolation and coronavirus testing nears its maximum.

Kamila/Reuters