Coronavirus may have lesser after-effect on patients than Sars, with previously infected showing normal lung functions, Hong Kong expert says
- Dr David Hui from CUHK, however, warns that there may still be a resurgence worldwide and in the city when winter rolls around
- He says some control measures such as the wearing of masks may have to persist until mid-June next year when a vaccine arrives
Some patients who have recovered from Covid-19 are healthy and “energetic” with normal lung functions, a leading respiratory expert in Hong Kong has said, suggesting the coronavirus may have a lesser after-effect on survivors than Sars.
But Dr David Hui Shu-cheong also warned that the city might have to brace for a long war against the pandemic until a vaccine is ready by next year, as a resurgence of cases was possible with the southern hemisphere entering winter in June, and the same for Hong Kong in December.
The city has so far recorded 1,035 Covid-19 cases, including four fatalities. Of them, 725 patients, or 70 per cent of the total, have been discharged.
Hui, chairman of the department of medicine and therapeutics at Chinese University, said doctors in Prince of Wales Hospital – which is linked to the institution – had followed up with more than 10 discharged patients, and all of them surprisingly showed no after-effects of the infection.
“Among 70 patients treated at Prince of Wales Hospital, around half have recovered and more than 10 have done the follow-up appointments. All of their lung functions are normal, and they can breathe normally without difficulties,” he said on a radio programme on Saturday.