Hong Kong can tackle surging cases of Covid-19 and flu infections given city’s higher vaccination rates, health minister says
- Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau says city entered winter flu surge period this week
- He adds the flu vaccination rate has improved with more than 1.7 million doses given out since September
Hong Kong’s higher vaccination rates against Covid-19 and flu can help the city’s healthcare workers stave off a hospital crisis similar to the fifth coronavirus wave two years ago, despite surges in cases of both infections, the health minister has said.
Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau said on Tuesday that Hong Kong had already entered the winter flu surge period this week, with the peak likely to be reached next month.
He said the percentage of flu-positive respiratory specimens handled by public laboratories had gone beyond the threshold that signalled the start of a winter surge period.
The period usually lasted for eight to 12 weeks, and the present one could last until March, Lo said.
“My estimation is that the peak of the surge will happen around late February,” he said. “It will be the time when most people [are infected]. We need to stay prepared and fasten our seat belts.”
Professor David Hui Shu-cheong, an expert in respiratory medicine from Chinese University, said on Sunday that 12.6 per cent of respiratory specimens handled by public labs tested positive for flu.
Health officials last week warned that both flu and Covid-19 viruses had become more active, and the city could enter the surge period this week.