A major outbreak of COVID in Hong Kong has caused great concern in Beijing, which has largely succeeded in controlling the pandemic in the rest of the country. “Authorities must mobilize all forces and resources that can be mobilized, take all necessary measures and protect Hong Kong people’s lives and health, as well as ensure Hong Kong’s social stability,” Nikkei quotes China’s President Xi Jinping as saying.
There were over 4,000 new cases confirmed in Hong Kong on Feb. 16 and another 7,000 preliminary-positive infections also reported. Since the fifth wave of COVID began in December, there have been over 14,000 confirmed cases. Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam has not made a decision to shut down the island’s economy, but is taking stringent measures to carry out testing and vaccinations. Beijing has promised to send emergency teams down to Hong Kong to help deal with the crisis. Many of those who tested positive were drivers coming into Hong Kong delivering food and other items, so the outbreak is also affecting the food supply.
