PHOTOS: The omicron variant is overwhelming Hong Kong, prompting mass testing, quarantines, supermarket panic-buying and a shortage of hospital beds. Even the morgues are overflowing, forcing authorities to store bodies in refrigerated shipping containers.
About 78% of the population has received two doses, compared to 92% in Singapore, and more than 80% in Japan, Canada and mainland China. The vaccination rates for children and those 70 years old and above are much lower.
While not quite as rigid, Hong Kong’s approach largely mirrors the strict “zero-COVID” policy in the mainland. The central government in mainland China has sent in experts and is helping build both temporary isolation facilities and testing areas. An advisory group led by Liang Wannian, the head of a mainland China COVID-19 task force, has been visiting community vaccination centers and the fire and ambulance service training academy to exchange views.to handle the volume of tests anticipated in a planned citywide testing of the population this month.