Coronavirus: Hong Kong ‘does not need to rush’ to secure a third vaccine; 13 new Covid-19 cases confirmed

Existing supply from Sinovac and BioNTech is sufficient to cover the population, says government adviser on Covid-19 pandemic

Most of Sunday’s new cases are imported, while two are linked to Tuen Mun housing estate at centre of a new cluster

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Residents queue for a BioNTech jab in Lai Chi Kok. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

Published: 12:29pm, 11 Apr 2021Updated: 10:39pm, 11 Apr 2021

Hong Kong has enough doses of Covid-19 vaccine and does not need to rush to secure a third type, according to a government pandemic adviser who also warned against a further easing of social-distancing rules.

Respiratory medicine specialist Professor David Hui Shu-cheong said on Sunday the 15 million shots in total already secured by the city from vaccine producers Sinovac and BioNTech were sufficient for its population.

Hui’s assurance came as Hong Kong confirmed another 13 Covid-19 cases, of which 11 were imported. The two locally transmitted infections were linked to a Tuen Mun housing estate at the centre of a new cluster.

Authorities had previously evacuated some 50 residents from Oi Fai House at Yau Oi Estate after two people were found to be infected in the building, before extending the order on Saturday to send another 210 people into quarantine.

Meanwhile, the death of a 58-year-old man who suffered a cardiac arrest 23 days after receiving a Sinovac jab has been referred to an expert committee for review, as is standard procedure in such cases.

The Department of Health said the man was a smoker and experienced sudden difficulties with breathing while at work on Thursday night.

The Drainage Services Department, where the man worked, said it would provide assistance to his family and cooperate with investigations.