Coronavirus: five new cases emerge in Hong Kong, as private clinics urged to step up testing

Up to 3,000 people with upper respiratory symptoms seek treatment from private doctors each day, according to government health adviser

But the clinics only send 200 samples out for testing, which is far too few, says Professor Yuen Kwok-yung

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Pedestrians in masks cross the street in Causeway Bay. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

Published: 12:02pm, 24 Oct 2020Updated: 10:28pm, 24 Oct 2020

Hong Kong confirmed five new Covid-19 infections on Saturday, with just a single local case, as a government health adviser urged private clinics to step up testing of suspected carriers to avoid a fourth wave of the disease.

Professor Yuen Kwok-yung also suggested bars and pubs could be allowed to operate past midnight if patrons were restricted to consuming alcohol using straws without taking off their masks.

“If people from all walks of life cooperate to fight the epidemic, the fourth wave can be prevented,” he said. “We just have one or two cases from time to time. The question is whether the public and doctors are willing to cooperate, and urge patients to get tested once they have symptoms.”

The University of Hong Kong microbiologist, who advises the government on the health crisis, said official data showed about 2,000 to 3,000 residents who developed upper respiratory symptoms sought private medical treatment every day.

Hong Kong microbiologist Professor Yuen Kwok-yung. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

But the clinics only sent about 200 samples for testing daily in September and October, which was too few, according to Yuen.