Hong Kong facing 1,000 winter deaths from coronavirus, expert warns, as city records seven new cases of Covid-19

Professor Yuen Kwok-yung makes chilling prediction and says winter wave could see tens of thousands fall ill

University of Hong Kong microbiologist calls for social-distancing measures to stay in place until next September

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A top infectious disease expert has said more than 10,000 people could fall ill in Hong Kong this winter. Photo: Felix Wong

Published: 12:34pm, 11 Oct 2020Updated: 11:30pm, 11 Oct 2020

The coronavirus could kill 1,000 residents and leave tens of thousands sick this winter if holes in Hong Kong’s defences are not plugged, an infectious disease expert has warned, as the city recorded seven new Covid-19 cases on Sunday.

Professor Yuen Kwok-yung made his chilling prediction on a radio programme, as he said the city was still experiencing its third wave of infections, and needed to keep social-distancing measures in place until a mass vaccination could take place in September next year, at the earliest.

The University of Hong Kong microbiologist, who advises the government on the virus, also called for mandatory testing for those experiencing symptoms associated with the disease, and urged the city’s restaurants and bars to take infection control seriously.

“If we don’t have targeted measures on the coronavirus, then we could see tens of thousands of people infected. Deaths could also easily exceed 1,000,” he said.

Among the new cases were four people linked to previous local cases, including two 52-year-old men living at a care home for the disabled, the Home of Treasure, in Kwai Chung. So far, 15 people linked to the facility have been confirmed as being infected.

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