CE: Not time to relax even if pandemic plateaus

Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor cautioned on Wednesday the public not to lower the guard down against the COVID-19 pandemic, even if it has entered a plateau.

Speaking to media, Lam said judging from the number of infections in the past month, the outbreak reached its climax in early March, when around 76,000 infections were recorded on March 3.

Since March 11, the number of infections has remained at around 30,000.

"This is not the time for relaxation, or being complacent, as HK's pandemic is not going to improve in short term," Lam said.

She said the high number of infections recorded suggested there are still silent transmissions in the community and it will continue if the residents are relaxed.

Lam also revealed that over 184,300 people were reported to be infected during Feb 26 to March 5 after testing positive via rapid antigen tests. The belated cases were logged at a designated self-declaration platform that was launched on March 7.

On another front, the government will continue to boost vaccinations among the elderly and children.

Lam said on Wednesday afternoon, she would go to the border to welcome a second batch of 300 mainland doctors and nurses, who will assist local counterparts to take care of patients with mild symptoms at the city's AsiaWorld Expo community treatment facility.

The first group of 75 mainland medical workers – 36 doctors and 39 nurses - arrived in the city on Monday and they have visited AsiaWorld Expo community treatment facility to familiarize themselves with the process. They will begin working in a day or two.

Speaking at the same news conference, Secretary for Food and Health Sophia Chan Siu-chee expressed gratitude for the mainland medical workers, saying their involvement will not only relieve the manpower shortage in the city, but also bring in valuable COVID treating experiences.