Coronavirus: Hong Kong reports two more deaths after Covid-19 shots while growing gym outbreak sparks fears fifth wave of cases is on way

Two more people died after getting Sinovac Covid-19 jabs, Hong Kong health authorities revealed on Saturday night, while the city’s leader ramped up appeals for residents to get vaccinated amid concerns over the scheme’s progress.

The development came as fears of a fifth wave of coronavirus infections gripped the city, with authorities confirming 47 new cases, most of them linked to a super-spreading gym cluster.

In total, six people have died locally after receiving the mainland-made Sinovac shots, although experts concluded there were no direct links to the jabs in the first two deaths and they were still looking into the other cases.

One of the latest deaths was of an 80-year-old man who had diabetes and hypertension and had suffered a stroke. He died of ischemic bowel disease, the authorities said. The other case involved a 67-year-old man, who also had diabetes, hypertension and hyperlipidemia. Another 63-year-old man with heart and liver problems was in a critical condition on Saturday. He suffered a stroke.

With the number of infections growing on Hong Kong Island, authorities locked down four buildings in two residential estates in the affluent Mid-Levels area – towers one and two of Robinson Place, as well as Blessings Garden’s phase one and two – at 8.30pm.

Officials hoped to have testing completed by 9am on Sunday so residents could leave the cordoned areas. Those who had visited the four buildings for longer than two hours since February 28 would also have to be tested by Monday, officials said.