A health worker in personal protective equipment holds a sign marking the end of the line as residents queue for COVID-19 testing in Tai Wai district, Hong Kong, Feb 17, 2022. (EDMOND TANG / CHINA DAILY)
Recently, President Xi Jinping issued important instructions in relation to the fifth wave of the COVID-19 outbreak in Hong Kong, urging the HKSAR government to prioritize pandemic control above all other tasks, to mobilize all resources and manpower as possible, and to take all actions necessary. These are directed to ensure the health and safety of Hong Kong residents, as well as social stability in the city.
At this critical juncture, President Xi delegated Vice-Premier Han Zheng to send across his utmost attention to the HKSAR’s public health situation and his care toward Hong Kong resident to Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor. All these indicated that Hong Kong has reached the eleventh hour in virus prevention and mitigation.
Should the HKSAR government aim to achieve a “pro-citizen, pro-life” vision in the context of the worst-ever wave of the outbreak, and to preserve each and every person’s right to life, values and dignity, our top leadership must demonstrate strong willpower, draw up a schedule and road map for the “dynamic zero infection” strategy, execute the plan with high speed and precision, and adapt with flexibility according to external changes. Hong Kong society should work together hand in hand and support the implementation of a comprehensive anti-pandemic strategy, considering the overall public interest.
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We must recognize that nothing is more important than fighting COVID-19. Only through a “dynamic zero infection” strategy that insists on early detection, speedy diagnosis, accurate control and effective treatment can we overcome the pandemic, save lives, uphold human rights, and resume socioeconomic development. It is painful to witness how quickly the Omicron variant spreads and how severe its health implications are, as compared to ordinary flu viruses.
Secretary for Food and Health Sophia Chan Siu-chee welcomes the four epidemiological experts from the mainland to visit Hong Kong, Feb 18, 2022. (PHOTO/HKSAR GOVERNMENT)
Only through a “dynamic zero infection” strategy that insists on early detection, speedy diagnosis, accurate control and effective treatment can we overcome the pandemic, save lives, uphold human rights, and resume socioeconomic development
We must be cognizant of the surging numbers of infections and deaths, many of them being children and senior citizens. We cannot afford to lower our guard anymore. It is key to keep our public health strategy and implementation measures very consistent. To achieve dynamic zero infection, the HKSAR government ought to fully adopt a clear “zero infection” logic and solution. There is no time for back-and-forth strategy changes, and absolutely no room to swing between dynamic zero infection and other approaches.
To ensure the health and safety of Hong Kong residents, as well as social stability in Hong Kong, President Xi stressed that we must mobilize all resources and manpower, and take all actions necessary. The HKSAR government must take up its core responsibilities, leverage the support from the central government, utilize public health resources to the greatest extent, conduct citywide universal virus testing to identify transmission chains and locate patients, and provide medical treatment as early as possible. All these ultimately point to stopping the further transmission of COVID-19.
Without a doubt, a dynamic zero-infection strategy requires a lot of resources. The HKSAR government is advised to solve the severe shortage of quarantine units, testing and treatment facilities. As of today, Hong Kong is using 6,000 to 8,000 hospital beds in this pandemic. Analysis shows that we need at least 20,000 more to replace the current home-quarantine model and cope with potential increase of positive cases when a citywide virus testing is performed.
Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung (right) is briefed on the preparatory work to turn Dorsett Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong into a community isolation facility, on Feb 17, 2022. (PHOTO / INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT, HKSAR)
Without a doubt, a dynamic zero-infection strategy requires a lot of resources. The HKSAR government is advised to solve the severe shortage of quarantine units, testing and treatment facilities
It’s encouraging that Chief Executive Lam has found suitable public housing estates, university dormitories and hotels as potential quarantine or medical treatment centers. Unfortunately, this is still far from enough. Hence, the government should expand its scope of site selection. In fact, Hong Kong has a lot of idle spaces that can be modified for quarantine and treatment purposes, such as large Chinese restaurants that are permanently closed, furnished elderly homes not in operation, idle school buildings, sports centers temporarily closed, exhibition centers and cruise ships, etc.
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Of course, the government should in parallel seek land promptly for the construction of mobile cabin hospitals and makeshift hospitals, similar to Huoshenshan Hospital in Wuhan. Under the command of President Xi, the government should be in touch with more property developers, shopping mall owners, cruise companies and industry representatives to find more suitable places for use. Also, are there outstanding beds in private hospitals? Can the government rent or purchase beds from private hospitals and subsequently transfer some patients to private hospitals for care?
Under the command of President Xi, the government should be in touch with more property developers, shopping mall owners, cruise companies and industry representatives to find more suitable places for use
Over the past week, quite a few elderly homes and children centers no longer have access to enough rapid-testing kits for COVID-19. Prices of testing kits have soared much due to strong demand. While the government has purchased over 100 million rapid testing kits coupled with donations from many private sector companies and civic organizations, the testing-kit shortage should be resolved as soon as possible, and the kits can be first distributed to senior citizens, children, those with special needs, and lower-income families. This would help protect the most vulnerable groups in our society in this wave of the outbreak.
Moreover, 200 taxis have formed a fleet of “anti-pandemic vehicles”. In the case where universal virus testing is to take place in the near future, the government can call on tour buses and school buses to join the “anti-pandemic fleet” and send more COVID-19 patients to hospitals or quarantine facilities in a safe, timely and efficient manner.
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A label reads "Designated for anti-pandemic measures. Booking needed" on a taxi designated to provide free transportation services to designated clinics for COVID-19 patients with mild symptoms, in Hong Kong on Feb 18, 2022. (CALVIN NG / CHINA DAILY)
President Xi mentioned we should take all actions necessary. This can be interpreted as three essential measures required to achieve “dynamic zero infection”, including universal virus testing, real-name track and trace, and vaccination. The key to “dynamic zero infection” is precision. In the current outbreak, the HKSAR government was not able to articulate the infection sources of many local positive cases. The hyper-transmissibility of Omicron reminded us of the imminent need to perform accurate track and trace, leverage support from the central government, and implement citywide virus testing in Hong Kong.
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President Xi mentioned we should take all actions necessary. This can be interpreted as three essential measures required to achieve “dynamic zero infection”, including universal virus testing, real-name track and trace, and vaccination. The key to “dynamic zero infection” is precision
After enhancing the capabilities of early detection and diagnosis, we should move to precise pandemic control and management. I spent over a month in Beijing last year and had firsthand experiences of the benefits of precise management, which is about using technology, big data and real-name registration to monitor the movement of virus. This is the secret of a successful “dynamic zero infection” strategy.
The government will soon launch “vaccine passports” with a mandatory real-name registration policy. When a resident enters a relatively risky venue in public, he or she must flash his or her “vaccine passport”. Venue managers can record every individual’s entry time and basic identification information through scanning a QR code. The system is expected to support government authorities to obtain data records to monitor COVID-19 infections and notify other citizens who have been to the same place at approximately the same time. The coverage of “vaccine passports” should be extended to public transportation so our precise pandemic management is complete.
The prerequisite of effective COVID-19 containment is vaccination, regardless of any types of policy responses. If we look at vaccination coverage by age group in Hong Kong, the rates in the age groups of 3-11, 12-19, 70-79, and 80 and above are strikingly low. The vaccination campaign for those aged between 3-11 just began. With a sufficient supply of vaccines, the immunization rates are expected to continue to rise. Only 26.7 percent of citizens aged 80 or above took the second dose of vaccines. The government should continue proactively reaching out to senior citizens and providing door-to-door services to those who are physically challenged.
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Whenever Hong Kong faces tough battles, our motherland gives the best support without exception. Sincere thanks go to President Xi Jinping, who always puts Hong Kong in mind and cares for people in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council has clearly expressed that “as long as Hong Kong asks, the motherland will surely respond”. Backed by the central government and Guangdong provincial government, I am convinced that the HKSAR government can unite different parties to overcome the pandemic swiftly, lead the city out of turmoil, ensure the health and safety of residents, and resume socioeconomic development with stability in Hong Kong.
The author is a board member of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies.