Hong Kong is on the cusp of a large-scale coronavirus outbreak

Hong Kong is on the cusp of a large-scale coronavirus outbreak that may overload its health-care facilities and cost lives, Chief Executive Carrie Lam said on Wednesday as new social distancing measures took effect. In a prerecorded video address late Tuesday, Lam said there has been an “upsurge” in local infections, and there are “many with yet unknown sources.” Confirmed cases in Hong Kong soared in July, with a new daily high of 145 reported this week.

Also on Tuesday, authorities said they were investigating 106 new cases, bringing the total number to at least 2,884. Hong Kong was initially able to contain the virus despite being relatively close to the city of Wuhan in China, where infections were first detected in 2019. It was able to avoid imposing a lockdown while many other countries imposed restrictive social distancing measures, and even reopened Disneyland Hong Kong in mid-June.

However, new and stricter social distancing rules take effect in the city today, with a ban on gatherings of more than two people and the suspension of dine-in services.

Hong Kong is ‘on the verge’ of an outbreak that could lead to hospital system’s collapse, chief executive says, CNBC, Jul 29