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Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam:
The latest wave of the epidemic is still raging in Hong Kong, and around the world.
Starting from second half of November, we saw the latest wave start in HK. The 7 day moving average is still rising, and local cases, not imports.
The latest wave of the epidemic is still raging in Hong Kong, and around the world.
Starting from second half of November, we saw the latest wave start in HK. The 7 day moving average is still rising, and local cases, not imports.
Unknown source cases have risen from 17% to 30%. We need new harsher social distancing measures.
Vaccines: HKSARG has taken all measures to procure vaccines. It involves a scientific process, and commercial agreements. We are therefore unable to let the public know at each stage.
But we have made a breakthrough. Two pronged approach: Joined COVAX, vaccines for 35% of our population acquired. We have approached individual suppliers as well, and signed advanced purchase agreements.
The vaccines we intend to procure may not yet have gone through all trials.
The vaccines we intend to procure may not yet have gone through all trials.
This is not like normal vaccine procurement. The gov plans to provide vaccines for 7.5 million residents for free. After procurement we need to arrange for transport and administration, and all come with a cost. Since vaccines are manufactured in a unique method, we can...
envisage problems. So we are procuring from at least 2 different vaccines with two different types.
If one turns out to be problematic, we can turn to the second version. We need to procure 30 million doses, due to the two shot regime.
If one turns out to be problematic, we can turn to the second version. We need to procure 30 million doses, due to the two shot regime.
HKSARG has reached an agreement with 2 manufacturers. The first is Sinovac, the first million doses due in January.
The 2nd is Pfizer.
The 2nd is Pfizer.
Two more manufacturers are in talks as well, the 3rd being the Oxford vaccine.
Priority will be given to certain groups. Healthcare workers, the elderly (esp those in RCHEs), chronic patients, careworkers in RCHE/RCHD/care workers. This accounts for 3 million people in HK.
(CE now recapping all the new laws that have come in for social distancing - Cap599Xs.)
Hong Kong can now manufacture 1 million face masks a month. Quarantine camps now have 5000 units. Tiers 1 and 2 wards in hospital, plus AWE with 3800 beds. Making use of the latest technology to treat patients.
Testing: We need to make sure testing is done in a strategic matter. So we want targeted testing, and accurate testing. This is a combo between DoH and private testing labs.
Preventing imported cases: New website to guide returnees on the new designated quarantine hotel system.
It's here - https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/designated-hotel.html
It's here - https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/designated-hotel.html
1) specimen collection: currently deep throat testing at HKIA, but starting next Tuesday, no more providing own spit test. Change to nasal and throat swabs performed by medical professionals.
2) designated hotel starts Dec 22nd. (if you plan to arrive on Dec 21st but are delayed until the 22nd, you need to still designated hotel. This includes flight delays and test & hold at the airport. HKSARG suggests if you're arriving on 21st, you should book a designated hotel)
Stringent rules for the quarantine hotels. Must not accept local guests. Meet relevant hygiene. Arrange testing for guests. Arrange for hotel workers to be tested every two weeks.
3) designated transport: essential to minimising cross-infections from imported cases.
The procedure will be thus: Prove booking at designated hotel before boarding to the airline. If high risk, have pre-flight test. On arrival, testing at airport, then into designated transport. Test on day 12. Can only leave after receiving negative result.
on checkout, quarantine guest will receive another test kit, and will submit on the 19th day after arrival.
Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan: The pandemic is serious. We have been fighting the pandemic for almost 12 months. It is worse now than previous waves.
The virus is now more contagious. We are concerned about unknown source cases. They have risen by 60%.
The virus is now more contagious. We are concerned about unknown source cases. They have risen by 60%.
This show there are many silent transmissions in the community. 7 day average is now 92.3 cases per day. We are seen more speedy transmission. Apart from dancing cluster, there are cases in RCHEs, construction sites etc.
The viral load of patients is high. In the past 2 weeks, many untraceable cases. 45 critical and 65 serious, most from this wave. 10 of the 45 critical are under 60, and 3 under 50. Serious, 14 under 60, 3 under age of 50. 70% are over the 60.
Only 3 of these people have spoken in an hour. This may be a very long press conference.
(I'll be switching to the CHP conference at 4.30pm)
(I'll be switching to the CHP conference at 4.30pm)
SecHealth has basically written off a normal Christmas, urging people to stay home and not socialise. She said she hopes if the wave abates, HK may be able to celebrate a normal Chinese New Year.
(In case you're wondering, CNY starts February 12th)
(In case you're wondering, CNY starts February 12th)
Q&A: Vaccines - Cannot say how much they cost at the moment due to privacy agreements, but the amount will be published in due time as we are using public money.
Vaccines: There are 51 vaccines in various stages of clinical trials, and 4 different types of vaccines out there. Government advisors have urged the gov to procure vaccines from each of the 4 different types. So far have agreements for 3 of the 4.
Previously only purchased vaccines that have already been approved. But governments around the world are all signing pre-approved vaccine agreements.
