Xi Jinping Urges "Top Priority on Epidemic Prevention" as Hong Kong COVID Cases Surpass 4,000

New Cases Surpass 4,000, Medical System Reaches Limit
"About 12,000 Waiting Due to Bed Shortage"

Amid the emergency caused by the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Hong Kong, patients are lying on beds outside the hospital due to a shortage of rooms at Caritas Hospital in the city on the 15th. Hong Kong recorded a total of 2,071 new COVID-19 cases the previous day. This is the first time that the number of new COVID-19 cases in Hong Kong has exceeded 2,000, whereas earlier this month, the number of new cases was in the hundreds. AFP=Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] As the number of new COVID-19 cases in Hong Kong exceeded 4,000 for the first time, Chinese authorities have stepped up quarantine measures.

On the 16th, Hong Kong authorities announced 4,285 new cases and 7,000 preliminary confirmed cases. There were 9 deaths. Hong Kong announces the number of patients after a primary diagnosis at medical institutions followed by a secondary diagnosis.

As the increase in confirmed cases pushed Hong Kong's medical system and quarantine capacity to their limits, Chinese President Xi Jinping pressured the strengthening of Hong Kong's quarantine measures through local pro-China media.

Hong Kong surpassed 2,000 new cases for the first time on the 14th. Until the end of last year, the cumulative number of cases in Hong Kong was in the 12,000 range. However, with the spread of the Omicron variant, the number of cases surged, and in the past month and a half, new cases have exceeded the cumulative number of cases over the past two years.

Pro-China Hong Kong media Wen Wei Po and Ta Kung Pao reported that "President Xi Jinping said to the Hong Kong government that COVID-19 quarantine is the top priority and that all means must be mobilized to control and stabilize the situation as quickly as possible."

They added, "President Xi instructed that Vice Premier Han Zheng convey his concern about the Hong Kong situation and his care for Hong Kong residents to Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam."

Both media outlets did not disclose when or where President Xi made these remarks.

Regarding the report, Bloomberg News analyzed, "President Xi's unusual direct intervention could lead Hong Kong to adopt wider lockdowns and stronger quarantine policies," and noted, "The report came a day after Chief Executive Lam stated there were no plans for a full city lockdown."

After the report, Chief Executive Lam issued a statement saying, "We will prioritize COVID-19 control," and "Following President Xi's instructions, the Hong Kong government will take primary responsibility for COVID-19 control and mobilize all resources and means to ensure public health and social stability."

Former University of Hong Kong professor Michael Davis said, "President Xi expressed dissatisfaction with Hong Kong's surge in cases while ordering stronger actions," and predicted, "President Xi will likely push for lockdowns in Hong Kong as has been done in other Chinese cities."

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