Hong Kong Reports First COVID-19 Death in 5 Months...Daily Cases Reach Record High

Daily COVID-19 Cases Surpass 1,000 for the First Time
Concerns Over Vegetable Supply Amid Repeated Lockdown Measures

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Hong Kong's health authorities are on high alert as the city reports its first COVID-19 death in five months and records over 1,000 daily confirmed cases for the first time. Although the vaccination rate in the city has surpassed 80%, a significant number of unvaccinated individuals remain, especially among the elderly, raising concerns about a surge in cases due to the spread of the Omicron variant.

According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP), on the 9th, Hong Kong health authorities announced that a 73-year-old resident had died from COVID-19. This marks the first COVID-19 death in Hong Kong in five months. The patient, who had chronic illnesses, reportedly tested preliminarily positive for COVID-19 shortly before passing away.

SCMP cited key sources stating that the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases on the 9th is expected to be 1,161, marking the first time daily cases have exceeded 1,000 in Hong Kong. The health authorities are preparing stronger lockdown measures in response to the spread of the Omicron variant and plan to introduce a new vaccine pass policy starting from the 24th of this month, SCMP reported.

With the strengthening of quarantine policies, from the 10th, private gatherings in Hong Kong will be limited to two people, and public facilities, religious organizations, and non-essential businesses will be closed from 6 p.m. Although over 80% of Hong Kong citizens have been vaccinated, many elderly citizens remain unvaccinated, which is believed to be contributing to the continued spread.

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam warned in a statement the previous day, "More than 50% of the elderly have not yet been vaccinated, and if they continue to avoid vaccination, they will not be able to live with the virus." It is also reported that after the vaccine pass is implemented on the 24th, the vaccine pass will be required for entry into essential stores such as shopping malls and supermarkets.

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