• Pandemic Coronavirus: Breaking News
  • Asia.Korea admits it is fighting a "second wave" of coronavirus infections

Under the storm caused by the new National Security Law imposed by China, not even the pandemic seems to want to give a truce to Hong Kong, where a third wave of coronavirus is added to the new authoritarian front in Beijing. This is what health officials have called the latest outbreak in the city. Until now, we have only heard of literally a "new wave of contagion" in South Korea.

Less than a month after Hong Kong authorities began lifting social distancing measures, the coronavirus has once again hit one of the world's financial centers hard. In the last week, 132 new cases of Covid-19 have been reported . Almost half, 65 new infections, have been through local transmission.

One of the main focuses is in a care center for the elderly, with 32 cases . Another dozen are linked to a noodle shop and a restaurant in the Jordan area, north of the city. Even six taxi drivers related to these sites have tested positive in recent days.

In total, the number of infected in the autonomous region amounts to 1. 365. 34 new infections were reported yesterday, the largest increase in cases detected in a single day since the pandemic began.

Today, Education Secretary Kevin Yeung has announced that schools will be closed again starting Monday. The authorities will also take up some restrictions, such as seating in bars and restaurants. The premises will remain open, but the number of people allowed at each table, which has had no limit since June 19, will be reduced to eight people. In bars and pubs, no more than four people may sit together. And the limit in public meetings remains at 50 people. These measures, in principle, will remain in force until July 24.

City media such as the South China Morning Post have spoken to health officials who describe the current situation as "very alarming," and describe it as "the third wave of infections." Dr. Chuang Shuk-kwan, head of the communicable diseases branch at the Center for Health Protection, expressed his fears of a massive outbreak in the community. Especially after the first local case was registered last Sunday after more than three weeks without reporting any. It is even more worrisome that in many cases the sources of some of the new infections are unknown.

Among the reasons experts put forward to explain this new wave of infections is that members of the aircraft and ship crew were exempt from mandatory quarantine upon arrival in Hong Kong and from being subjected to coronavirus testing. Measures that all returning residents of the city have to comply with. Although both foreign visitors and mainland Chinese citizens continue to be barred from entering.

The cause of the regrowth is also indicated the relaxation of the measures of social distancing. In late April, the number of people allowed in public gatherings first increased from four to eight, then 50 in June. Restaurants and bars were also allowed to start operating with more capacity.

The current situation in Hong Kong is reminiscent of what was already experienced in March, when the considered second wave of infections arrived. Earlier that month, the former British colony had barely reported 150 cases. Measures to confine part of its 7.5 million inhabitants to a semi-quarantine had halted the pandemic. Everything seemed controlled. So much so that the officials returned to the offices, the subways were filled again and people lost their fear, resuming a certain normal life in bars and restaurants.

But in Hong Kong came the return of foreigners and nationals escaping the viral blow from other countries. Many of them also carried the coronavirus in their luggage. This caused that, from the second half of March, the new daily cases, all imported, were counted by dozens to exceed 300. From the Executive of President Carrie Lam they ordered to close bars and restaurants again, and forced spend a 14-day quarantine on anyone entering Hong Kong. In addition, returnees had to wear an electronic bracelet and download an application on their mobile phone that monitored all their movements.

In recent weeks, the city's focus has been more focused on new protests over the National Security Law. Thousands of people have taken to the streets against legislation that they believe will end the system of semi-liberties that the region has enjoyed since it returned to Chinese rule 23 years ago. Now, the new outbreak threatens Hong Kong to start again from scratch.

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Know more

  • Hong Kong
  • China
  • National Security Law
  • Jordan
  • South Korea

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