Hong Kong's leader Carrie Lam said on Monday that the 'onslaught' of coronavirus infections in the global financial hub has dealt a heavy blow and overwhelmed its capacity to deal with the epidemic as daily cases surge to record highs.
A medical worker walks past a makeshift testing centre for the coronavirus disease following the outbreak, outside a shopping mall at Sha Tin district, in Hong Kong, China, February 7, 2022. REUTERS/Lam YikHONG KONG, Feb 14 - Hong Kong's leader Carrie Lam said on Monday that the "onslaught" of coronavirus infections in the global financial hub has dealt a heavy blow and overwhelmed its capacity to deal with the epidemic as daily cases surge to record highs.
Daily infections have multiplied 13 times over the past two weeks, from about 100 cases at the start of February to over 1,300 on Feb. 13, with authorities scrambling to control the deepening outbreak. Lam said her government would coordinate with Chinese officials to tackle the "aggravating situation" after China said it would help the city with testing, treatment and quarantine."The onslaught of the fifth wave of the epidemic has dealt a heavy blow to Hong Kong and overwhelmed the city's capacity of handling," she said, adding that the surge had lengthened the amount of time before infected patients could access isolation facilities.
The Chinese territory reported 1,347 new infections on Sunday, down from Saturday's record, but the spread with 2,000 more suspected cases threatens its overstretched healthcare system, authorities said. Medical experts warn the city could see 28,000 daily infections by the end of March, with the unvaccinated elderly a particular worry.