Hong Kong records increase in COVID-19 cases

Hong Kong is currently witnessing a surge in positive COVID-19 cases, resulting in quarantine facilities reaching their limit and hospitals hitting 90% capacity.

Hong Kong Hospital Authority’s Sara Ho announced that public hospitals are in a “crisis situation” and asked for medical professionals in private hospitals to help treat those afflicted.

During a COVID-19 briefing on Thursday, Hong Kong’s Communicable Disease Branch Head, Chuang Shuk-Kwan, noted that they had to accommodate patients in tents due to the increasing numbers of emergency cases in the last few days.

Health authorities reported 6,116 new COVID-19 infections on Thursday. They added that 24 new deaths had been recorded over the past week; 249 COVID-19 patients have passed away in public hospitals to date.

After seven inmates tested positive for COVID-19, Hong Kong’s Correctional Services Department announced that infected prisoners would be quarantined at the Sha Tsui facility on Lantau Island.