Hong Kong COVID-19 Cases Surpass 2003 SARS Numbers

Cumulative Confirmed Cases Increase by 1,777

[Asia Economy Reporter Dongwoo Lee] The number of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) infections in Hong Kong has surpassed the scale of the 2003 SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) outbreak.

According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP) and others on the 19th, 64 new COVID-19 cases were reported in Hong Kong the previous day, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 1,777. This exceeds the 1,775 infections recorded during the 2003 SARS pandemic that swept through mainland China and Hong Kong.

However, the number of COVID-19 deaths stands at 12, which is significantly lower than the 299 SARS deaths. This is attributed to the SARS fatality rate being around 10%, much higher than that of COVID-19, and the fact that Hong Kong’s epidemic response system has greatly improved since the 2003 SARS outbreak.

In Hong Kong, where the spread of COVID-19 had subsided until early this month, the outbreak has recently become severe again. Of the 64 new COVID-19 cases reported the previous day, 60 were locally transmitted, and 35 had unknown transmission routes.

At an ophthalmology clinic in Hong Kong, three staff members including counter employees were infected with COVID-19, raising alarms about infection prevention within the hospital. Earlier, five COVID-19 cases were reported at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Hong Kong, mainly among elderly patients.

On the 16th, five COVID-19 infections occurred at a Hong Kong sovereignty return commemoration banquet hosted by a pro-China group attended by about 300 people. They ignored COVID-19 prevention guidelines, shaking hands, singing, and dancing without wearing masks, which led to a cluster infection.

At a Hong Kong table tennis venue, four people playing together were infected with COVID-19, and infections were also reported at TVB, Hong Kong’s largest private broadcaster. Hong Kong health authorities urged citizens to strictly follow social distancing rules and refrain from social activities to prevent the resurgence of COVID-19.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.