[Explanation] Recently, the mutant strain of the new crown Omi Keron "crashed" into the Hong Kong community, and the transmission chain of the first two imported cases has continued to spread.
On January 7, Xu Shuchang, an expert adviser to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and a chair professor of respiratory system at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, said in an interview with a reporter from China News Agency that the epidemic is about to break out and the situation is worrying.
[Concurrent] Xu Shuchang, expert consultant of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and Chair Professor of Respiratory System of the Chinese University of Hong Kong
The spread of the Omi Keron virus strain in Hong Kong began in the Mochizuki restaurant, and has now spread to the Victoria Park dancing group. In addition, there are also many restaurant groups and foreign domestic helpers (groups).
You have seen the rapid spread of (Omi Keron) in the past few days. There are several chains of transmission in the community. Now I hope that the Department of Health can find those close contacts and send them to quarantine.
[Explanation] Faced with the rapid changes in the epidemic, the SAR government recently announced urgently to tighten epidemic prevention measures.
Xu Shuchang said that he believes that relevant measures can effectively reduce the flow of people in the community and relieve the pressure of epidemic prevention.
[Concurrent] Xu Shuchang, expert consultant of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and Chair Professor of Respiratory System of the Chinese University of Hong Kong
The current (SAR) government’s measures are starting from January 7 to reduce the flow of people in the community. Therefore, restaurants and restaurants limit the number of people, and dine-in is not allowed after 6 pm. Many entertainment venues are temporarily closed. These have effectively blocked the community. Flow of people.
Fortunately, the surveyor (infected case) found the source of (infection), not the source is unknown (case), so temporary measures are more appropriate.
[Commentary] Xu Shuchang believes that although the current epidemic prevention measures are temporarily appropriate, if the local epidemic in Hong Kong continues to spread, the SAR government needs to consider further tightening of epidemic prevention measures.
[Concurrent] Xu Shuchang, expert consultant of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and Chair Professor of Respiratory System of the Chinese University of Hong Kong
If your transmission chain continues to increase extensively in the community, and even start to have some cases (cases) of unknown origin, then you must “enhance” (strengthening measures) as soon as possible.
If it spreads again, you need to stop the source of (infection). The next step I think may be school suspension, online teaching, or even civil servants working at home for a short period of time, but we can take a look at the current measures for a while.
[Explanation] As the epidemic continues to break out, Xu Shuchang believes that the top priority is to increase the new crown vaccination rate and promote the third dose of vaccination to effectively increase the level of antibodies.
[Concurrent] Xu Shuchang, expert consultant of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and Chair Professor of Respiratory System of the Chinese University of Hong Kong
We also need to increase the vaccination rate as soon as possible, because the Omi Keron virus strain greatly reduces the efficacy of all vaccines, so if those who have not received the first and second shots, arrange for the first and second shots as soon as possible.
If after two shots, he can get the third shot as soon as possible after 6 months.
We can effectively increase the level of antibodies through the third shot, which will protect ourselves better.
Reporter Liang Yuan from Hong Kong
Editor in charge: [Lu Yan]