By Farah Grasp
HONG KONG (Reuters) -Hong Kong till lately had an enviable file battling COVID-19, however as an Omicron wave now overwhelms the town, the steps that saved lives are making life insufferable for a lot of of its 7.4 million individuals.
Like an immune system overreacting and harming the individual it’s meant to guard, the “dynamic zero-COVID” insurance policies that had crushed the virus in Hong Kong have contributed to present woes, consultants say. Sufferers lie in beds in chilly, moist parking heaps exterior overflowing hospitals, isolation amenities are filling up and 1000’s queue for hours exterior testing venues.
A 60-fold spike in every day infections this month prompted the federal government lately to switch its COVID-eradication insurance policies, however the authorities proceed aiming to wipe out the virus. The influence of zero tolerance will stay for a while, epidemiologists say.
Hong Kong’s strict pandemic insurance policies have restricted coronavirus infections to round 40,000 with 259 deaths, far fewer than in different main cities. Asian rival Singapore, with 5.7 million individuals, has reported greater than half one million circumstances and a few 900 deaths.
Below zero-COVID, Hong Kong authorities primarily closed the border and hospitalised even asymptomatic coronavirus-positive individuals and remoted shut contacts with contaminated individuals. An individual exhibiting little or no signs might spend weeks in hospital, then transfer to an isolation facility for a number of extra weeks earlier than being allowed to return to regular life.
In return, most individuals within the international monetary hub might go about their work and social lives with few restrictions.
The federal government chief, Chief Govt Carrie Lam, has stated Hong Kong “can not give up to the virus” and that containing the outbreak “is now of paramount significance”, as she seeks the individuals’s understanding for inconveniences brought on by the insurance policies.
“Elimination was initially the perfect technique for Hong Kong,” however is not applicable, stated Dr David Owens, a founding associate of OT&P clinic.
“As soon as efficient vaccinations grew to become obtainable, the unfavourable framing and coverage round zero-covid adversely impacted vaccination charges, particularly within the weak,” he stated. “The messaging was not solely unscientific, it paradoxically elevated the danger to inhabitants well being.”
The federal government didn’t reply to a request for touch upon whether or not its zero-covid coverage had contributed to the present drawback.
Because the extremely transmissible COVID variant exams the healthcare system and public endurance, the authorities have made a refined transition from elimination to mitigation, adjusting insurance policies ceaselessly, based mostly on the severity of signs and availability of beds and isolation rooms.
Asymptomatic carriers might now go to quarantine amenities and even residence and shut contacts might isolate at residence.
‘INSANE AND CRUEL’
However the healthcare system is stretched to breaking as infections soar.
Plans for mass-testing from subsequent month will possible be ineffective, some epidemiologists say, with no full mainland-style metropolis lockdown – one thing Lam has dominated out.
“Zero-COVID can’t final ceaselessly,” stated Peter Collignon, professor of microbiology on the Australian Nationwide College. Sticking to the objective “can result in poor useful resource allocation and priorities.”
Tracing, testing, therapy and quarantine sources nonetheless goal each an infection as an alternative of prioritising high-risk teams, such because the aged, inflicting widespread frustration.
Zero-COVID messaging, some epidemiologists concern, might encourage complacency and false hopes among the many largely unvaccinated aged that the town might once more turn out to be virus-free and keep that method. Greater than 60% of residents over age 80 haven’t been vaccinated, though some 85% of the complete inhabitants has had no less than one shot.
Bars, gyms and sweetness salons are shut, many unable to remain afloat. Round 900,000 college students are out of college, whereas most individuals have resumed working from residence, paying homage to early 2020.
The economic system is prone to contract this yr after final yr’s rebound from the town’s longest recession, some analysts say. And the isolation and financial uncertainty threaten a psychological well being epidemic, psychologists say.
“It is insane and merciless,” stated a 41-year-old resident whose household went by way of 5 weeks of hospital and authorities quarantine, together with separation from their two toddlers.
“Nowhere else on this planet is doing this.”
Hong Kong has requested Beijing for assist. Greater than 100 million fast exams are on the best way from the mainland, and the authorities plan to spice up testing, construct extra isolation amenities and guarantee meals provides after vegetable shortages this month.
However some well being consultants forecast every day infections rocketing to as a lot as 30,000 by the tip of March from 3,629 on Friday, far outpacing efforts to extend capability.
Epidemiologists on the College of Hong Kong have warned that solely a expensive, months-long, full lockdown would remove infections. And whereas that may return the town to the place it was in December, Omicron might strike once more, inflicting renewed chaos, they are saying.
Residents, who firstly of the pandemic went past authorities suggestions to maintain their family and friends protected, have began to lose religion.
“The federal government needs to realize dynamic zero-COVID, which has principally made residents extra troubled and confused, as a result of I consider that no virus might be eradicated fully,” stated 39-year-old Grasp Tang.
