Hong Kong in ‘full-on war mode’ as Covid surge overwhelms hospitals

String of moves to contain the virus come after Xi Jinping intervened and called on authorities to take action

Hong Kong is in a “full-on war mode” to battle ravaging Covid-19 cases in the city, a senior official has said as construction crews from mainland China help expand the city’s bed capacities.

The Chinese financial hub counted 6,067 new Covid cases on Sunday in its worst-ever outbreak, with hospitals stretched thin.

Hong Kong now has 52,830 confirmed cases, adding 14 more Covid deaths to its toll of 300 since the start of the pandemic. About 10 patients were in critical condition, officials said, according to the South China Morning Post.

On Saturday night, Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam announced China’s largest state-owned constructor in Hong Kong would turn Kai Tak Cruise Terminal into two isolation facilities, adding 9,500 extra beds.

Ms Lam attended a groundbreaking ceremony at the construction site at Penny’s Bay, close to the city’s Disneyland resort.

She said the initiatives would enhance the city’s anti-epidemic capacity “within a very short period of time”.

Chief secretary John Lee Ka-chiu, Hong Kong’s deputy leader and the city’s number two official, said in a blog post on Sunday that the city’s government is in “full-on war mode.”

“Now is the most critical time during two years of anti-pandemic efforts,” he wrote.

The string of moves to contain the virus came after Chinese president Xi Jinping appeared to rebuke Hong Kong authorities after he said fighting the virus must now be their “overriding mission”.

“The [Hong Kong] government is in full-on war mode and will follow the important instruction of President Xi Jinping to stabilise the epidemic as an overriding priority, mobilising all forces and resources, taking all necessary steps to protect Hong Kong people’s lives and health and ensure Hong Kong’s social stability,” the deputy leader said.

The city’s public hospitals have been severely stretched, struggling to cope with an influx of patients including the elderly, many of whom have resisted vaccinations.

In scenes that have shocked many, people were seen lying outside public hospitals in the rain and chilly weather. This has forced the city’s leaders to apologise and prepare facilities to shelter patients.

People lie in hospital beds outside the Caritas Medical Centre in Hong Kong on 18 February 2022 (AFP via Getty)

China’s special administrative region has been pursuing a zero Covid policy, mirroring the policy in mainland China without strict mass testing rules. Experts, however, believe the policy is unsustainable and may have contributed to its current problems.

There is rising fatigue among residents as they have endured tight measures, including a long shutdown of most public venues, such as pubs, gyms and churches, as well as severe travel restrictions.

Officials have also been struggling to persuade residents, especially the elderly, to take vaccines.

Health official Sara Ho said on Sunday that she understood public frustration, but urged patients to fully cooperate with hospital staff.

Meanwhile Sophia Chan, Hong Kong’s secretary for food and health, said the government may tighten social distancing rules further.

China has sent epidemiologists, critical care experts and over 100 testing personnel to the city, as well as mobile testing vehicles, with authorities saying the outbreak could take up to three months to stabilise.

The government will now turn public housing estates, commercial hotels and indoor sport stadiums into temporary facilities for patients to add 20,000 units for people testing positive for Covid.