Hong Kong, it looks like, is on its way in controlling recent outbreaks of the coronavirus, the city reported the lowest number of new local infections since its resurgence began over a month ago.
Currently, the total number of coronavirus cases in Hong Kong is 4,148 and the total death toll is 56.
The financial hub reported 32 new local cases on Tuesday, a marked drop from the high double-digit tallies of the past week. The drop is a reprieve for Hong Kong after a sudden flare-up strained its health-care infrastructure and testing capacity, and confined its residents largely to their homes, a Bloomberg report reads.
The city currently is also battling to defend its autonomy, with China passing the controversial national security law. The police have made many arrests, accusing people of compromising national security—the move has been drawing some sharp criticisms from the West. The latest arrestee is Jimmy Lai Chee-ying, a billionaire media tycoon who founded the Apple Daily tabloid in Hong Kong. The police also raided the newspaper’s offices.
Others who have been arrested on charges of “collusion with foreign powers” include Wilson Li, a freelance journalist with Britain’s ITN, and activist Andy Li, over their connection to the NGO Fight for Freedom, Stand with Hong Kong.
90 per cent of COVID-19 deaths in Hong Kong happened in the past month, with cases being reported in nursing and elderly care homes. Social distancing rules had become stricter in wake of rise in cases and masks were made mandatory in public places. These measures, including the prohibition of dining in restaurants from 6 pm to 5 am, have been extended till August 18.
China has sent help to boost Hong Kong’s testing and hospitalization capacity.
Chief Executive Carrie Lam said on Friday that Hong Kong will offer a free, voluntary virus test to every resident as a way of identifying asymptomatic carriers who are spreading the virus silently.
