Explainer | Coronavirus: with infection rate slowing to a crawl, is it time for Hongkongers to relax a bit? Here’s what you need to know
- Expert says city can only be considered to be out of the woods when there are no local infections for 28 days – two Covid-19 incubation periods
- A local infection, the first since April 9, was reported on Sunday
Hong Kong residents have been geared up for months to guard against Covid-19 infection risks. Face masks and hand sanitisers are now necessary items for almost everyone when going out, while people are also encouraged to stay at home as much as possible.
What is the current transmission situation in Hong Kong?
Hong Kong has recorded 1,025 confirmed cases since the beginning of the pandemic. There was a surge in cases from mid-March, with dozens of new infections identified every day, many related to Hongkongers arriving from overseas. But that situation has gradually eased. Since April 12, Hong Kong’s new daily case rate has dropped into the single digits, ranging from one to five. No new cases were recorded on Monday, prompting health authorities to forego their daily coronavirus press conference for the first time in nearly three months.
But despite the improving signs, the situation cannot be said to be under complete control yet. A locally infected case, the first since April 9, was reported on Sunday. Health authorities said the discovery showed there was still silent transmission of the virus, meaning spread from infected people who did not show symptoms, taking place in the community.