(Fighting against New Coronary Pneumonia) Hong Kong's local epidemic rebounded Xu Shuchang called for extra measures to cut off the community communication chain
China News Agency, Hong Kong, July 10 (Reporter Zhang Xiaoxi) The local new coronary pneumonia epidemic in Hong Kong has recently rebounded. Xu Shuchang, a lecturer in the Department of Respiratory System of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, said in an interview with the China News Agency on the evening of 9th that Hong Kong's epidemic prevention measures should be increased, hoping to cut off the community communication chain and reduce the increase in the number of newly diagnosed cases.
From July 7th to 9th, 62 new locally diagnosed cases of new coronary pneumonia were added in Hong Kong, and the source of some locally confirmed cases is unknown. In response to the development of the epidemic, the Hong Kong SAR Government announced on the 9th measures to tighten social distances, including restrictions on the number of restaurant customers.
Xu Shuchang said in an interview that the Hong Kong epidemic has slowed down in May, and the SAR government has relaxed some of the epidemic prevention measures, but there may be loopholes in the exemption from mandatory quarantine, allowing people carrying the virus to enter the community and form a community spread. In addition, the relaxation of restrictions on the number of restaurants and the opening of visiting homes for the elderly have also increased the hidden danger of the spread of the virus in the community.
Regarding the current situation, Xu Shuchang believes that Hong Kong needs additional anti-epidemic measures, including: requiring exemptions from mandatory quarantine personnel to leave virus test samples, the number of restaurant customers should not exceed 60% of the number of seats, the elderly homes consider suspending visits and providing relevant staff Perform virus detection, etc.
"These measures are implemented together, hoping to cut off the community communication chain." Xu Shuchang said. He also pointed out that if there are more confirmed cases in local schools in Hong Kong, schools may have to consider suspension of classes.
Xu Shuchang said that because the virus has an incubation period, the current measures need to be examined after a period of time to see whether it is effective; new confirmed cases may continue to appear in the next few days, but the number of new cases is expected to gradually decrease.
In addition, referring to the "health code" applicable to travel in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau, Xu Shuchang said that the plan may have to be put on hold temporarily to prevent the spread of the epidemic. (Finish)