Coronavirus: top medical experts from mainland China begin reviewing Hong Kong’s efforts to combat pandemic surge
- After being greeted by city leader Carrie Lam, the epidemiologists visited the large-scale laboratory newly set up at the Ma On Shan Sports Centre
- Health authorities also ease discharge criteria for patients as more than 6,100 infections confirmed, setting fresh record
The city confirmed more than 6,100 infections, breaking another daily record, as the experts crossed the border into Hong Kong a day earlier than originally scheduled after Chinese President Xi Jinping instructed mainland officials to “fully support” the city in its struggle to contain a rapidly expanding outbreak.
The team entered Hong Kong via the Shenzhen Bay checkpoint at around 4pm, led by Kang Min, head of the infectious disease institute under the Guangdong Provincial Centre for Disease Control and Prevention.
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Hong Kong eases discharge criteria for Covid-19 patients to relieve strained healthcare system
The experts went to work the same evening, visiting the large-scale laboratory newly set up at the Ma On Shan Sports Centre, which began operating just the day before.
Two mobile testing vehicles, seen parked at the centre, were earlier referred to by Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor when she welcomed help from the mainland side and thanked Xi for attaching high importance to the city, as she received the experts at the checkpoint.
“We will definitely focus on the president’s instructions, taking all necessary measures and mobilising all resources. We won’t be distracted by anything else,” she said.
According to Lam, the team would meet local health authorities and experts to analyse the pandemic situation and how it would evolve, and share treatment methods including the use of traditional Chinese medicine.