Hong Kong reports first COVID-linked death in five months

HONG KONG (Reuters) – An aged man who returned a constructive check for COVID-19 in Hong Kong died on Tuesday, town’s Hospital Authority mentioned, town’s first loss of life probably linked with the virus in 5 months because it struggles with a worsening outbreak.

The 73-year-old affected person was chronically unwell and had examined preliminary constructive for COVID throughout hospital admission screening, in keeping with a press release from the Authority late on Tuesday.

It was unclear whether or not his loss of life could be categorised as Hong Kong’s 214th COVID loss of life as preliminary constructive circumstances need to bear additional checks to be categorised as constructive.

The Asian monetary hub has reported round 16,600 infections because the begin of the coronavirus outbreak in 2020, far decrease than in different comparable main cities.

The Chinese language territory introduced stringent new coronavirus restrictions and document new infections on Tuesday, whereas a city-wide scarcity of greens added to the distress as truck drivers who examined constructive had been unable to convey them from mainland China.

Hong Kong has caught to the “dynamic zero” technique employed by mainland China to suppress all coronavirus outbreaks as quickly as doable.

The measures, that are the hardest imposed because the begin of the pandemic, are taking an rising social and financial toll on town’s 7.5 million residents.

Chief Carrie Lam mentioned Hong Kong isn’t presently capable of reside with the virus like the remainder of the world as a result of greater than 50% of aged who stay unvaccinated.

Authorities are implementing a vaccine go resulting from take impact on Feb. 24 which would require vaccinations to enter most venues together with procuring malls and supermarkets.

Round 80% of town’s residents have had a minimum of one vaccine however many aged have been hesitant to get jabbed.

On the identical time, authorities have banned gatherings of greater than two folks, shut colleges, playgrounds, gyms and most different venues. Eating in eating places is banned from 6 pm, whereas personal gatherings at residence have additionally been restricted.

Flights are down round 90% resulting from robust journey restrictions whereas most individuals, together with the vast majority of civil servants, are working from residence.

(Reporting by Farah Grasp; Modifying by Lincoln Feast.)