Coronavirus: Hong Kong’s infected elderly residents isolating alone at home feel ‘hopeless’ with little family or community support

Social workers estimate more than 100,000 elderly residents living alone or with only their spouse have been infected during the latest surge

Ivan Lin, with the Society for Community Organisation, accuses government of failing to provide adequate support for vulnerable group

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Hong Kong’s elderly residents who live alone say they receive little support when they are infected with the coronavirus. Photo: Sam Tsang

Published: 9:00am, 20 Mar 2022

Covid-stricken and isolated in her Hong Kong home for a fortnight, 72-year old Lau was kept awake on many nights by severe headaches, a sore throat and constant feelings of helplessness.

“I cried. I feared every day that if anything happened to me, no one would even know,” she said.

The former dim sum seller, who asked to be identified only by her surname, has been living in a public housing flat in Kowloon City alone ever since her son moved out eight years ago. She has been separated from her estranged husband for decades.

Hong Kong has more than 152,000 elderly residents aged 65 and above like Lau, who live alone. Lacking family support and community networks, they are among the city’s most vulnerable residents.

The coronavirus pandemic has made life even more challenging for them, especially amid the current fifth wave of infections. Many have been left to face the contagion alone, with overflowing hospitals and quarantine facilities not immediately accessible to them.

An elderly patient waits outside the accident and emergency department of Princess Margaret Hospital. Photo: Yik Yeung-man

Social workers estimate more than 100,000 elderly residents living alone or with only their spouse have been infected during the latest surge.