New wave of covid is ripping through Hong Kong. There has been a deadly Omicron surge and a rising number of covid-19 deaths, there's a scare that Hing Kong could run out of coffins within days.

Hong Kong: Rising deaths amid deadly Omicron surge

Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;leader&nbsp;Carrie Lam said on Saturday that the&nbsp;city's&nbsp;COVID-19 outbreak wasn't&nbsp;yet&nbsp;past&nbsp;its&nbsp;peak&nbsp;despite recent daily case numbers showing a slight levelling off.

"At this moment, we could&nbsp;not&nbsp;comfortably say that we have&nbsp;past&nbsp;the&nbsp;peak," Lam told reporters.

Health authorities reported 29,381 new infections on Friday, compared with 31,402 new cases on Thursday.

Lam added that fresh food supplies from mainland China had largely been restored to previous levels, after panic buying by the public in recent weeks had seen some supermarket shelves emptied on a daily basis.

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In total since early 2020, the global financial hub has recorded almost 650,000&nbsp;COVID-19 infections and about 3,500 deaths - most of them in the&nbsp;past&nbsp;two weeks.

Hong&nbsp;Kong, like mainland China, has adopted a "dynamic zero" strategy that seeks to curb infections with strict mitigation measures, even as most other major cities learn to live with the virus. China and&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong's approach has been severely tested by the fast spreading Omicron variant.

Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;registered the most deaths per million people globally in the week to March 9, according to data publication Our World in Data. Most have been unvaccinated senior citizens.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-builds-new-bridge-to-hong-kong-amid-covid-surge-460602">&nbsp;China builds new bridge to Hong Kong amid Covid surge</a>

A senior Chinese official overseeing&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;affairs, Xia Baolong, who has been helping coordinate China's response to aid&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;in trying to contain the outbreak, was cited by the China News Agency as saying the&nbsp;city's&nbsp;COVID-19 situation was still severe and to adequately prepare oneself mentally for this "long-term war".

He added that the government needed to do carry out its anti-epidemic work in a precise manner like "acupuncture" and to strengthen inter-departmental coordination.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Hong Kong's Covid-19 outbreak triggers mass exodus

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-hong-kongs-covid-19-outbreak-triggers-mass-exodus-461093/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Responding to the remarks, Lam said "I can assure him ... that we are putting in every effort to fight this epidemic," while dismissing the view that the&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;government wasn't working effectively and in unison to battle the outbreak.

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam said on Saturday that the city's COVID-19 outbreak wasn't yet past its peak despite recent daily case numbers showing a slight levelling off.

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam said on Saturday that the city's COVID-19 outbreak wasn't yet past its peak despite recent daily case numbers showing a slight levelling off. "At this moment, we could not comfortably say that we have past the peak," Lam told reporters. Health authorities reported 29,381 new infections on Friday, compared with 31,402 new cases on Thursday. Lam added that fresh food supplies from mainland China had largely been restored to previous levels, after panic buying by the public in recent weeks had seen some supermarket shelves emptied on a daily basis. Also read | WHO warns pandemic 'far from over' as Covid death toll reaches 6 million In total since early 2020, the global financial hub has recorded almost 650,000 COVID-19 infections and about 3,500 deaths - most of them in the past two weeks. Hong Kong, like mainland China, has adopted a "dynamic zero" strategy that seeks to curb infections with strict mitigation measures, even as most other major cities learn to live with the virus. China and Hong Kong's approach has been severely tested by the fast spreading Omicron variant. Hong Kong registered the most deaths per million people globally in the week to March 9, according to data publication Our World in Data. Most have been unvaccinated senior citizens. Also read | China builds new bridge to Hong Kong amid Covid surge A senior Chinese official overseeing Hong Kong affairs, Xia Baolong, who has been helping coordinate China's response to aid Hong Kong in trying to contain the outbreak, was cited by the China News Agency as saying the city's COVID-19 situation was still severe and to adequately prepare oneself mentally for this "long-term war". He added that the government needed to do carry out its anti-epidemic work in a precise manner like "acupuncture" and to strengthen inter-departmental coordination. Watch | Gravitas: Hong Kong's Covid-19 outbreak triggers mass exodus Responding to the remarks, Lam said "I can assure him ... that we are putting in every effort to fight this epidemic," while dismissing the view that the Hong Kong government wasn't working effectively and in unison to battle the outbreak.

COVID-19: Hong Kong leader says city is not yet past Covid peak

Hong Kong's latest Wuhan virus outbreak has become a nightmare for residents. Many are choosing to leave the city. In the last three weeks, over 60,000 people could have left Hong Kong. Palki Sharma tells you about the mass exodus.

Gravitas: Hong Kong's Covid-19 outbreak triggers mass exodus

Hong Kong's Omicron fueled Wuhan virus is killing almost 150 people everyday. Funeral homes are overflowing. Refrigerated shipping containers are being hired to keep dead bodies. Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: Hong Kong: Shipping containers hired to store dead bodies

A temporary bridge has been built in Hong Kong to help bring in material from the mainland for the Covid-19 makeshift hospital. Nearly 2,000 Chinese contractors from the China State Construction Engineering are in Hong Kong for this project.&nbsp;

This hospital is expected to provide 1,000 more hospital beds and quarantine rooms for up to 10,000 people.

The densely populated metropolis is in the throes of a record virus surge with thousands of confirmed cases every day.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam said that China aims to ensure that Hong Kong has enough food and other supplies during the outbreak.&nbsp;

To battle the surge in cases, doctors and nurses from the mainland have also been allowed to work in the city. 
Beijing, on the other hand, has provided 29m rapid antigen tests and 54m masks as of Tuesday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/to-fight-covid-abroad-us-aims-to-contribute-to-vaccines-for-next-disease-460501">Also read |&nbsp;To fight Covid abroad, US aims to contribute to vaccines for next disease</a>

China’s national health Commission’s Liang Wannian told Chinese state media Xinhua, "Reducing infection, severe cases and deaths is Hong Kong’s most urgent and top priority at the current stage."

Earlier, Lam had said that all Hong Kongers must undergo three rounds of compulsory coronavirus testing. "The coming one to three months are crucial in fighting the pandemic," Lam told a press briefing.

Lam reiterated the city's "dynamic zero COVID" strategy similar to mainland China, aiming to eradicate any outbreaks at all costs. She repeatedly thanked mainland authorities for their "staunch support."

(With inputs from agencies)

A temporary bridge has been built in Hong Kong to help bring in material from the mainland for the Covid-19 makeshift hospital. Nearly 2,000 Chinese contractors from the China State Construction Engineering are in Hong Kong for this project.

A temporary bridge has been built in Hong Kong to help bring in material from the mainland for the Covid-19 makeshift hospital. Nearly 2,000 Chinese contractors from the China State Construction Engineering are in Hong Kong for this project. This hospital is expected to provide 1,000 more hospital beds and quarantine rooms for up to 10,000 people. The densely populated metropolis is in the throes of a record virus surge with thousands of confirmed cases every day. Chief Executive Carrie Lam said that China aims to ensure that Hong Kong has enough food and other supplies during the outbreak. To battle the surge in cases, doctors and nurses from the mainland have also been allowed to work in the city. Beijing, on the other hand, has provided 29m rapid antigen tests and 54m masks as of Tuesday. Also read | To fight Covid abroad, US aims to contribute to vaccines for next disease China’s national health Commission’s Liang Wannian told Chinese state media Xinhua, "Reducing infection, severe cases and deaths is Hong Kong’s most urgent and top priority at the current stage." Earlier, Lam had said that all Hong Kongers must undergo three rounds of compulsory coronavirus testing. "The coming one to three months are crucial in fighting the pandemic," Lam told a press briefing. Lam reiterated the city's "dynamic zero COVID" strategy similar to mainland China, aiming to eradicate any outbreaks at all costs. She repeatedly thanked mainland authorities for their "staunch support." (With inputs from agencies)

China builds new bridge to Hong Kong amid Covid surge

A top Chinese health official rallied embattled&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;on Tuesday to&nbsp;stick&nbsp;with a "dynamic zero" coronavirus&nbsp;strategy&nbsp;and warned that the city's "lifeline" health system was at risk and the situation had to be turned around as soon as possible.

Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;reported more than 43,100 new cases on Tuesday after the launch of an online platform for people to record infections in a surge that has seen the city suffering the most deaths globally per million people in the week to March 6, according to the Our World in Data publication.

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China&nbsp;has championed the "dynamic zero"&nbsp;strategy&nbsp;that involves stamping out infections with strict mitigation measures as opposed to the approach adopted in other places of relying on high vaccination rates and moderate mitigation like masks in an effort to "live with&nbsp;COVID".

The fast-spreading Omicron variant has tested both strategies but&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;is now suffering the consequences of a relatively low vaccination rate, especially among the elderly, as the virus surges through the community.

Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;"must&nbsp;persevere with its&nbsp;dynamic zero&nbsp;strategy", Liang Wannian, an expert from&nbsp;China's National Health Commission, told the state-run Xinhua news agency in an interview.

"Reducing infection, severe cases and deaths is&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong's most urgent and top priority at the current stage," said Liang, who is in&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;to coordinate efforts to battle the outbreak.

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"After we achieve the first target, we will then move on to the second and third goals."

Infections in the Asian financial hub have surged to record highs with a total of about 540,000 cases and more than 2,300 deaths - most in the past two weeks.

Liang said that a serious depletion of&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong's medical resources was "endangering the city's lifeline operations".

"Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;is in danger of not being able to function normally," he said.

Effective and realistic measures

Compounding&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong's difficulties and public frustration have been contradictory and confusing messages about the campaign against the virus, including a plan for mass testing and whether a city-wide lockdown would be imposed.

Liang said there could be improvements.

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"How can more effective and realistic measures be taken to curb the rising momentum of the epidemic and turn the situation around as soon as possible ... This is one of the most important tasks," he said.

Some experts have warned that the "dynamic zero"&nbsp;strategy&nbsp;is not sustainable. Liang said "dynamic zero" did not mean zero infections but the city should do its best to reduce infections and cut transmission.

Liang's comments came as the city's 7.4 million residents braced for details of the mass testing that is expected to take place in coming weeks. Liang said it would need to be done at the right time with all details carefully arranged.

Health authorities on Monday launched a platform for people to register their own rapid antigen test results.The platform accounted for 14,715 of the new cases on Tuesday.

There were also 160 deaths recorded in the past 24 hours.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas | Ukraine Vs Russia: The meme war

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A team from the University of&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;has estimated that by the end of April the number of people infected in the city of 7.6 million people could be about 4.3 million, with a death toll of 5,000.

Hong&nbsp;Kong's hospitals, isolation centres and funeral parlours are swamped while public transport, malls, postal services, supermarkets and pharmacies are struggling to operate due to a severe manpower crunch.

Food prices have shot up and supermarket shelves have been emptied every day for a week as shoppers panic buy.

A top Chinese health official rallied embattled Hong Kong on Tuesday to stick with a "dynamic zero" coronavirus strategy and warned that the city's "lifeline" health system was at risk and the situation had to be turned around as soon as possible.

A top Chinese health official rallied embattled Hong Kong on Tuesday to stick with a "dynamic zero" coronavirus strategy and warned that the city's "lifeline" health system was at risk and the situation had to be turned around as soon as possible. Hong Kong reported more than 43,100 new cases on Tuesday after the launch of an online platform for people to record infections in a surge that has seen the city suffering the most deaths globally per million people in the week to March 6, according to the Our World in Data publication. Also read | Street in front of Russian Embassy in US unofficially renamed as 'President Zelensky Way' China has championed the "dynamic zero" strategy that involves stamping out infections with strict mitigation measures as opposed to the approach adopted in other places of relying on high vaccination rates and moderate mitigation like masks in an effort to "live with COVID". The fast-spreading Omicron variant has tested both strategies but Hong Kong is now suffering the consequences of a relatively low vaccination rate, especially among the elderly, as the virus surges through the community. Hong Kong "must persevere with its dynamic zero strategy", Liang Wannian, an expert from China's National Health Commission, told the state-run Xinhua news agency in an interview. "Reducing infection, severe cases and deaths is Hong Kong's most urgent and top priority at the current stage," said Liang, who is in Hong Kong to coordinate efforts to battle the outbreak. Also read | Explainer: Is the war in Ukraine impacting Russian gas supplies to Europe? "After we achieve the first target, we will then move on to the second and third goals." Infections in the Asian financial hub have surged to record highs with a total of about 540,000 cases and more than 2,300 deaths - most in the past two weeks. Liang said that a serious depletion of Hong Kong's medical resources was "endangering the city's lifeline operations". "Hong Kong is in danger of not being able to function normally," he said. Effective and realistic measures Compounding Hong Kong's difficulties and public frustration have been contradictory and confusing messages about the campaign against the virus, including a plan for mass testing and whether a city-wide lockdown would be imposed. Liang said there could be improvements. Also read | Found 30 biological labs in Ukraine, possibly for bioweapons, claim Russian forces "How can more effective and realistic measures be taken to curb the rising momentum of the epidemic and turn the situation around as soon as possible ... This is one of the most important tasks," he said. Some experts have warned that the "dynamic zero" strategy is not sustainable. Liang said "dynamic zero" did not mean zero infections but the city should do its best to reduce infections and cut transmission. Liang's comments came as the city's 7.4 million residents braced for details of the mass testing that is expected to take place in coming weeks. Liang said it would need to be done at the right time with all details carefully arranged. Health authorities on Monday launched a platform for people to register their own rapid antigen test results.The platform accounted for 14,715 of the new cases on Tuesday. There were also 160 deaths recorded in the past 24 hours. Watch | Gravitas | Ukraine Vs Russia: The meme war A team from the University of Hong Kong has estimated that by the end of April the number of people infected in the city of 7.6 million people could be about 4.3 million, with a death toll of 5,000. Hong Kong's hospitals, isolation centres and funeral parlours are swamped while public transport, malls, postal services, supermarkets and pharmacies are struggling to operate due to a severe manpower crunch. Food prices have shot up and supermarket shelves have been emptied every day for a week as shoppers panic buy.

COVID-19: China says Hong Kong must stick to 'dynamic zero' COVID strategy

For the last eight years Mathilde and her family have called&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;home, but as the coronavirus tears through the city they are joining an&nbsp;exodus&nbsp;of foreign workers looking for an escape route.

"We are leaving and we will come back to empty our house whenever that is possible," she told AFP, declining to give her surname and nationality.&nbsp;"All our close friends are leaving."&nbsp;

For Mathilde it was the risk of being separated from her three&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong-born children that was the final straw after two years of tough "zero-Covid" restrictions.

"We want to get our children out of here above all," she said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-19-china-daily-local-virus-cases-at-two-year-high-459760">COVID-19: China daily local virus cases at two-year high</a>

Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;used mainland China's "zero-Covid" strategy to keep the&nbsp;virus&nbsp;at bay, until the highly infectious Omicron variant broke through at the start of the year.&nbsp;

But while other places that deployed similar tactics such as Australia, New Zealand and Singapore are learning to live with the&nbsp;virus,&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;is doubling down -- even as it records tens of thousands of new infections each day.

The city has been ordered by China, the only major economy still pursuing zero-Covid, to curb the outbreak at all costs.&nbsp;

All 7.4 million residents will be tested later this month and authorities are building a network of isolation camps to house the infected, deepening fears that families will be separated in the months ahead.

As a result, departures have skyrocketed with a net outflow of 71,000 people -- including 63,000 residents -- in February, the highest since the pandemic began.

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No road map

Travel restrictions have been hard on&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong's foreign workers, who make up nearly 10 percent of the population.

Borders have been effectively sealed to visitors and residents who do return have faced two to three weeks in expensive hotel quarantines throughout most of the pandemic.

"If there was a road map and we knew that there's some light at the end of the tunnel we might stay," said Heiko, a German entrepreneur who works in artificial intelligence.&nbsp;

"Since this is not the case... we've decided to leave."

Heiko's youngest daughter recently celebrated her second birthday.

"Her entire life has been a sequence of lockdowns, multiple stays in quarantine hotels, closed playgrounds and closed kindergartens. She's met her grandparents only once," he sighed.

Lucy Porter Jordan, a sociologist at the University of&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong, said that, before Omicron,&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;"had the restrictions but you also had the safety".

If you take that out of the equation, you end up with this kind of perfect storm."

Most of those leaving, she added, were people with children and "people that have the means".

Over the last fortnight&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;has looked&nbsp;more&nbsp;like New York or London at the start of the pandemic than a city which had two years of hard-won breathing room to get ready.&nbsp;

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The government was caught flat-footed with few plans in place to deal with a mass Omicron-fuelled outbreak.

Hospitals and morgues were quickly overwhelmed and the city's current death rate is four times Singapore's, mostly accounted for by unvaccinated elderly residents.

Panic buying has stripped shelves bare, schools remain shuttered and summer holidays have been brought forward so classrooms can be used for mass testing.

Talent drain

Companies and industry groups have been increasingly public in their talent-drain warnings. The European Union's local office estimates 10 percent of its nationals have left since the pandemic began.

Multiple airlines have reported a surge of bookings in recent weeks while shipping container prices have doubled in a year. International shipping company SendMyBag told AFP outbound shipments from&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;have increased four-fold compared with 2021.

"Everybody is looking for tickets to go, people are fighting for the containers," said Lin, a mother of two grown children who declined to give her nationality.

Lin is looking to move to Dubai after 12 years in&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;and said many of her colleagues were doing the same. &nbsp;

"A friend who's leaving next week had a three-year-old BMW and she said 'You know what, I'm just giving it to charity because no one will buy it anyway.'"

The current&nbsp;exodus&nbsp;adds to a wave of migration already under way of local&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kongers, which began after China cracked down against democracy protests.

Between June 2020 and June 2021&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;saw its biggest population decrease in 60 years, and there is little sign of that changing.&nbsp;

"We are now only in the starting period of this wave," said Chung Kim-wah, head of&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong's Public Opinion Research Institute.&nbsp;

"Many&nbsp;more&nbsp;young people will choose to move away if they have a chance".

For the last eight years Mathilde and her family have called Hong Kong home, but as the coronavirus tears through the city they are joining an exodus of foreign workers looking for an escape route.

For the last eight years Mathilde and her family have called Hong Kong home, but as the coronavirus tears through the city they are joining an exodus of foreign workers looking for an escape route. "We are leaving and we will come back to empty our house whenever that is possible," she told AFP, declining to give her surname and nationality. "All our close friends are leaving." For Mathilde it was the risk of being separated from her three Hong Kong-born children that was the final straw after two years of tough "zero-Covid" restrictions. "We want to get our children out of here above all," she said. Also read | COVID-19: China daily local virus cases at two-year high Hong Kong used mainland China's "zero-Covid" strategy to keep the virus at bay, until the highly infectious Omicron variant broke through at the start of the year. But while other places that deployed similar tactics such as Australia, New Zealand and Singapore are learning to live with the virus, Hong Kong is doubling down -- even as it records tens of thousands of new infections each day. The city has been ordered by China, the only major economy still pursuing zero-Covid, to curb the outbreak at all costs. All 7.4 million residents will be tested later this month and authorities are building a network of isolation camps to house the infected, deepening fears that families will be separated in the months ahead. As a result, departures have skyrocketed with a net outflow of 71,000 people -- including 63,000 residents -- in February, the highest since the pandemic began. Also read | COVID-19: Hong Kong residents urged not to panic ahead of COVID mass testing No road map Travel restrictions have been hard on Hong Kong's foreign workers, who make up nearly 10 percent of the population. Borders have been effectively sealed to visitors and residents who do return have faced two to three weeks in expensive hotel quarantines throughout most of the pandemic. "If there was a road map and we knew that there's some light at the end of the tunnel we might stay," said Heiko, a German entrepreneur who works in artificial intelligence. "Since this is not the case... we've decided to leave." Heiko's youngest daughter recently celebrated her second birthday. "Her entire life has been a sequence of lockdowns, multiple stays in quarantine hotels, closed playgrounds and closed kindergartens. She's met her grandparents only once," he sighed. Lucy Porter Jordan, a sociologist at the University of Hong Kong, said that, before Omicron, Hong Kong "had the restrictions but you also had the safety". If you take that out of the equation, you end up with this kind of perfect storm." Most of those leaving, she added, were people with children and "people that have the means". Over the last fortnight Hong Kong has looked more like New York or London at the start of the pandemic than a city which had two years of hard-won breathing room to get ready. Also read | In settlement, UK government’s Home Office to pay £5,750 to EU citizen for 10-hour detention The government was caught flat-footed with few plans in place to deal with a mass Omicron-fuelled outbreak. Hospitals and morgues were quickly overwhelmed and the city's current death rate is four times Singapore's, mostly accounted for by unvaccinated elderly residents. Panic buying has stripped shelves bare, schools remain shuttered and summer holidays have been brought forward so classrooms can be used for mass testing. Talent drain Companies and industry groups have been increasingly public in their talent-drain warnings. The European Union's local office estimates 10 percent of its nationals have left since the pandemic began. Multiple airlines have reported a surge of bookings in recent weeks while shipping container prices have doubled in a year. International shipping company SendMyBag told AFP outbound shipments from Hong Kong have increased four-fold compared with 2021. "Everybody is looking for tickets to go, people are fighting for the containers," said Lin, a mother of two grown children who declined to give her nationality. Lin is looking to move to Dubai after 12 years in Hong Kong and said many of her colleagues were doing the same. "A friend who's leaving next week had a three-year-old BMW and she said 'You know what, I'm just giving it to charity because no one will buy it anyway.'" The current exodus adds to a wave of migration already under way of local Hong Kongers, which began after China cracked down against democracy protests. Between June 2020 and June 2021 Hong Kong saw its biggest population decrease in 60 years, and there is little sign of that changing. "We are now only in the starting period of this wave," said Chung Kim-wah, head of Hong Kong's Public Opinion Research Institute. "Many more young people will choose to move away if they have a chance".

COVID-19: Virus chaos pushes more expats to join Hong Kong exodus

Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;reported 31,008 new&nbsp;COVID-19 cases and 153 deaths on Sunday as the city's chief secretary said&nbsp;residents&nbsp;should&nbsp;not&nbsp;worry about a looming&nbsp;mass&nbsp;testing&nbsp;scheme, with details to be announced and authorities ensuring a steady supply of food.

The global financial hub is clinging to a "dynamic zero" coronavirus strategy as a&nbsp;massive spike in infections pushed hospitals, isolation centres and funeral parlours beyond capacity. Health experts said around 15% of the city's 7.4 million&nbsp;residents&nbsp;are already infected.

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The comments by Chief Secretary John Lee on his blog, came as supermarket shelves were stripped for a seventh consecutive day, with anxious&nbsp;residents&nbsp;stocking up on products left on shelves from tofu and soy sauce to frozen vegetables.

As infections and deaths hit record highs,&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;has implemented its most draconian restrictions, with restrictions on public gatherings of more than two people, most venues closed and flights banned into the city from countries including the United States and Britain.

The government has repeatedly tried to reassure&nbsp;residents&nbsp;after widespread chaos this week due to authorities' mixed messaging over whether a city-wide lockdown would take place and the almost daily tweaking of&nbsp;COVID&nbsp;rules.

While city leader Carrie Lam has said the Chinese-ruled hub will&nbsp;not&nbsp;have a full-blown lockdown during the&nbsp;mass&nbsp;testing,&nbsp;residents&nbsp;remain unnerved about what to expect.

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The former British colony has had more than 470,000&nbsp;COVID&nbsp;infections. Most of the roughly 1,800 deaths have been in the past two weeks, many of them unvaccinated elderly&nbsp;residents&nbsp;as infections have spread in hundreds of nursing homes.

The surge in infections has crippled manpower in the healthcare system, for public transport, mall operators as well as postal services, supermarkets and pharmacies.

Many restaurants and stores have been shuttered with main districts eerily quiet and few&nbsp;residents&nbsp;out in typically busy neighbourhoods.

Hong Kong reported 31,008 new COVID-19 cases and 153 deaths on Sunday as the city's chief secretary said residents should not worry about a looming mass testing scheme, with details to be announced and authorities ensuring a steady supply of food.

Hong Kong reported 31,008 new COVID-19 cases and 153 deaths on Sunday as the city's chief secretary said residents should not worry about a looming mass testing scheme, with details to be announced and authorities ensuring a steady supply of food. The global financial hub is clinging to a "dynamic zero" coronavirus strategy as a massive spike in infections pushed hospitals, isolation centres and funeral parlours beyond capacity. Health experts said around 15% of the city's 7.4 million residents are already infected. Also read | Radio Free Europe, with roots in the Cold War, suspends operations in Russia The comments by Chief Secretary John Lee on his blog, came as supermarket shelves were stripped for a seventh consecutive day, with anxious residents stocking up on products left on shelves from tofu and soy sauce to frozen vegetables. As infections and deaths hit record highs, Hong Kong has implemented its most draconian restrictions, with restrictions on public gatherings of more than two people, most venues closed and flights banned into the city from countries including the United States and Britain. The government has repeatedly tried to reassure residents after widespread chaos this week due to authorities' mixed messaging over whether a city-wide lockdown would take place and the almost daily tweaking of COVID rules. While city leader Carrie Lam has said the Chinese-ruled hub will not have a full-blown lockdown during the mass testing, residents remain unnerved about what to expect. Also read | London: Hundreds of women march in a bid to end violence and misogyny The former British colony has had more than 470,000 COVID infections. Most of the roughly 1,800 deaths have been in the past two weeks, many of them unvaccinated elderly residents as infections have spread in hundreds of nursing homes. The surge in infections has crippled manpower in the healthcare system, for public transport, mall operators as well as postal services, supermarkets and pharmacies. Many restaurants and stores have been shuttered with main districts eerily quiet and few residents out in typically busy neighbourhoods.

COVID-19: Hong Kong residents urged not to panic ahead of COVID mass testing

While Hong Kong clings to its "zero-COVID" policy, frustrations in the city are boiling over, workplace morale is being hit hard and families are splitting as a growing number of people, especially expatriates, abandon the global financial hub.

Hong Kong saw a net outflow of more than 71,000 people in February, the most since the beginning of the pandemic, according to government data, compared with 16,879 in December.

Senior Western diplomats told Reuters they are inundated with visa requests for the Hong Kong spouses of foreign nationals, while some travel agents say they are overwhelmed with flight bookings.

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For many like Ileanna Cortes Martinez, who has lived in Hong Kong for more than a decade, the stringent rules that include restrictions on global travel and bans on gatherings of more than two people, have made life in the city unbearable.

"They're making it impossible to live here," said Cortes Martinez from California, adding that she and her husband, a pilot in the private jet sector, bought a flat in the city last year as they considered it home, but are now leaving.

"It's ridiculous what's going on. It's like the blind leading the blind ... The rules change every day."

Mixed messages from the government and almost daily tweaks to policy have triggered a backlash from many residents.

Children being hospitalised alone with no family members and summer holidays brought forward for some schools have also prompted many families to book their departures sooner.

Most major employers have reverted to work-from-home requirements, in line with government recommendations, as Hong Kong reports record daily cases of close to 60,000, after a three-month streak of no infections at the end of 2021.

"Hong Kong is like a prison right now," one investment banker at a Western firm who is working from home told Reuters. He declined to be identified as he is not permitted to speak to media.

Streets in the heart of the financial centre are eerily quiet, restaurants are shuttered or empty, and supermarket shelves bare as people snap up groceries amid fears of a city-wide lockdown. Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam has said there are no plans for a "complete lockdown".

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Expat 'firesales'

Divided expat families are becoming increasingly common as one parent stays to work, while the other takes the children home, many fearful of being separated from children or forced into government quarantine centres if they stay.

"It's untenable to be in Hong Kong when every time you have to leave to come back you have to sit in a hotel room for two weeks if not longer," said one lawyer, who declined to be identified due to the sensitivity of the issue.

"My wife and kids are in Australia, they want to come up but they can't. You just can't have a family life here."

Some people are offloading furniture and cars in firesales as they rush to leave.

"A lot of people are just grabbing clothes and leaving. And personally, that's what I'm going to do," said Cortes Martinez, who is leaving Hong Kong at the end of the month with her 12-year-old daughter. Her husband left in November.

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Hong Kong has recorded about 350,000 cases of COVID since the coronavirus emerged in the Chinese city of Wuhan in late 2019 and some 1,400 deaths, still far fewer than many other cities.

"You see the footage of children being separated, the lockdowns coming,&nbsp;school is online for the foreseeable future, it's no place to have kids right now," one banker at a foreign bank told Reuters, also declining to be identified.

Bans on flights from nine countries including the United States, Britain and Australia are in place until April 20, leaving some Hong Kong residents who had left temporarily stranded, unable to get back in.

Hong Kong remains one of only a few places in the world to make hotel quarantine for two weeks for returning travellers mandatory.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Ukraine invasion: Has Russia lost China's support?

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-ukraine-invasion-has-russia-lost-chinas-support-458718/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

A mother of two who left for Australia with the children while her husband stayed to work said she got out because of fear of being hospitalised or put in a quarantine centre.

"We've been more afraid of the treatment than getting COVID. The community centres, they look like something out of a horror movie," she said, referring to quarantine facilities.

While Hong Kong clings to its "zero-COVID" policy, frustrations in the city are boiling over, workplace morale is being hit hard and families are splitting as a growing number of people, especially expatriates, abandon the global financial hub.

While Hong Kong clings to its "zero-COVID" policy, frustrations in the city are boiling over, workplace morale is being hit hard and families are splitting as a growing number of people, especially expatriates, abandon the global financial hub. Hong Kong saw a net outflow of more than 71,000 people in February, the most since the beginning of the pandemic, according to government data, compared with 16,879 in December. Senior Western diplomats told Reuters they are inundated with visa requests for the Hong Kong spouses of foreign nationals, while some travel agents say they are overwhelmed with flight bookings. Also read | This is how Covid could reverse all the progress made towards gender equality For many like Ileanna Cortes Martinez, who has lived in Hong Kong for more than a decade, the stringent rules that include restrictions on global travel and bans on gatherings of more than two people, have made life in the city unbearable. "They're making it impossible to live here," said Cortes Martinez from California, adding that she and her husband, a pilot in the private jet sector, bought a flat in the city last year as they considered it home, but are now leaving. "It's ridiculous what's going on. It's like the blind leading the blind ... The rules change every day." Mixed messages from the government and almost daily tweaks to policy have triggered a backlash from many residents. Children being hospitalised alone with no family members and summer holidays brought forward for some schools have also prompted many families to book their departures sooner. Most major employers have reverted to work-from-home requirements, in line with government recommendations, as Hong Kong reports record daily cases of close to 60,000, after a three-month streak of no infections at the end of 2021. "Hong Kong is like a prison right now," one investment banker at a Western firm who is working from home told Reuters. He declined to be identified as he is not permitted to speak to media. Streets in the heart of the financial centre are eerily quiet, restaurants are shuttered or empty, and supermarket shelves bare as people snap up groceries amid fears of a city-wide lockdown. Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam has said there are no plans for a "complete lockdown". Also read | Pics: People reunite as New Zealand opens border after two year of isolation Expat 'firesales' Divided expat families are becoming increasingly common as one parent stays to work, while the other takes the children home, many fearful of being separated from children or forced into government quarantine centres if they stay. "It's untenable to be in Hong Kong when every time you have to leave to come back you have to sit in a hotel room for two weeks if not longer," said one lawyer, who declined to be identified due to the sensitivity of the issue. "My wife and kids are in Australia, they want to come up but they can't. You just can't have a family life here." Some people are offloading furniture and cars in firesales as they rush to leave. "A lot of people are just grabbing clothes and leaving. And personally, that's what I'm going to do," said Cortes Martinez, who is leaving Hong Kong at the end of the month with her 12-year-old daughter. Her husband left in November. Also read | China reacts to accusations that it asked Russia to stall Ukraine attack till after Winter Olympics Hong Kong has recorded about 350,000 cases of COVID since the coronavirus emerged in the Chinese city of Wuhan in late 2019 and some 1,400 deaths, still far fewer than many other cities. "You see the footage of children being separated, the lockdowns coming, school is online for the foreseeable future, it's no place to have kids right now," one banker at a foreign bank told Reuters, also declining to be identified. Bans on flights from nine countries including the United States, Britain and Australia are in place until April 20, leaving some Hong Kong residents who had left temporarily stranded, unable to get back in. Hong Kong remains one of only a few places in the world to make hotel quarantine for two weeks for returning travellers mandatory. Watch | Gravitas: Ukraine invasion: Has Russia lost China's support? A mother of two who left for Australia with the children while her husband stayed to work said she got out because of fear of being hospitalised or put in a quarantine centre. "We've been more afraid of the treatment than getting COVID. The community centres, they look like something out of a horror movie," she said, referring to quarantine facilities.

COVID-19: Families forced to split as cases spiral and rules tighten in Hong kong

Two of&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong's largest consumer&nbsp;retail&nbsp;chains&nbsp;started&nbsp;rationing some food and drug items on Friday to&nbsp;curb&nbsp;panic&nbsp;buying&nbsp;that has plagued the city over the past week amid fears of a citywide lockdown as&nbsp;COVID-19 cases soar.

Health authorities reported 52,523 new&nbsp;COVID-19 cases on Friday and 136 deaths. This compares with about 100 infections at the start of February and a clean three-month streak of zero cases before the end of December.

It was the third consecutive day that the number of cases topped 50,000. The spread has limited available manpower in the health care system, and for public transport, mall operators, supermarkets and pharmacies.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-19-families-forced-to-split-as-cases-spiral-and-rules-tighten-in-hong-kong-458781">COVID-19: Families forced to split as cases spiral and rules tighten in Hong kong</a>

Supermarket chain ParknShop announced limits of five items per customer on&nbsp;staples&nbsp;such as rice, canned food and toilet paper, while pharmacy Watsons put the same limits on medication for pain, fever and colds.

"Effective today, ParKnShoP and Watsons&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;will impose purchase restrictions on selected products and medication at all stores," Watsons said in a statement.

Both ParknShop and Watsons are units of the&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;listed conglomerate CK Hutchison.

On Wednesday, ParknShop announced shorter opening hours, with some of its 200 branches shutting at 3 p.m. - by which time many shops across the Asian financial hub have been stripped of fresh and frozen meat and vegetables in recent days.

Mall operator HKTV said in an exchange filing on Friday that 20% of its "frontline manpower" was in quarantine.

Separately,&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong's judiciary, citing health risks, said court hearings would be suspended between March 7 and April 11, with some exceptions, including bail applications, as well as cases involving people in custody and juvenile protection.

Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;officials have repeatedly urged people against&nbsp;panic&nbsp;buying&nbsp;this week, saying supplies were adequate.

Amid public complaints of confused official messaging,&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;Chief Executive Carrie Lam has said her government had no plan for a "complete lockdown" while it plots compulsory testing of the city's 7.4 million residents.

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The government would announce details of the plan when finalised, she said.

The surge in cases and fears of a lockdown have sparked mass departures of people from the city, where authorities are clinging to a "dynamic zero" policy that seeks to eradicate all outbreaks at all costs.

Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;saw a net outflow of more than 71,000 people in February, the most since the beginning of the pandemic, according to government data, compared with 16,879 in December.

On the other hand, bans on flights from nine countries including the United States, Britain and Australia are in place until April 20, leaving some residents who had left temporarily stranded, unable to get back in.

Many restaurants and shops are shuttered, while its Central financial district is eerily quiet and few people are out in normally bustling neighbourhoods.

Highlighting growing public frustration, prominent businessman and government adviser Allan Zeman said on Tuesday the city's international reputation had been "very damaged" and alarm had been created by the confusing messages.

Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;has reported about 400,000 cases of&nbsp;COVID&nbsp;since the coronavirus emerged in the Chinese city of Wuhan in late 2019 and some 1,500 deaths, far fewer than many other cities. Most infections and deaths were recorded in the past month.

Two of Hong Kong's largest consumer retail chains started rationing some food and drug items on Friday to curb panic buying that has plagued the city over the past week amid fears of a citywide lockdown as COVID-19 cases soar.

Two of Hong Kong's largest consumer retail chains started rationing some food and drug items on Friday to curb panic buying that has plagued the city over the past week amid fears of a citywide lockdown as COVID-19 cases soar. Health authorities reported 52,523 new COVID-19 cases on Friday and 136 deaths. This compares with about 100 infections at the start of February and a clean three-month streak of zero cases before the end of December. It was the third consecutive day that the number of cases topped 50,000. The spread has limited available manpower in the health care system, and for public transport, mall operators, supermarkets and pharmacies. Also read | COVID-19: Families forced to split as cases spiral and rules tighten in Hong kong Supermarket chain ParknShop announced limits of five items per customer on staples such as rice, canned food and toilet paper, while pharmacy Watsons put the same limits on medication for pain, fever and colds. "Effective today, ParKnShoP and Watsons Hong Kong will impose purchase restrictions on selected products and medication at all stores," Watsons said in a statement. Both ParknShop and Watsons are units of the Hong Kong listed conglomerate CK Hutchison. On Wednesday, ParknShop announced shorter opening hours, with some of its 200 branches shutting at 3 p.m. - by which time many shops across the Asian financial hub have been stripped of fresh and frozen meat and vegetables in recent days. Mall operator HKTV said in an exchange filing on Friday that 20% of its "frontline manpower" was in quarantine. Separately, Hong Kong's judiciary, citing health risks, said court hearings would be suspended between March 7 and April 11, with some exceptions, including bail applications, as well as cases involving people in custody and juvenile protection. Hong Kong officials have repeatedly urged people against panic buying this week, saying supplies were adequate. Amid public complaints of confused official messaging, Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam has said her government had no plan for a "complete lockdown" while it plots compulsory testing of the city's 7.4 million residents. Also read | COVID-19: Western Australia ends closures as the country fully opens to travel The government would announce details of the plan when finalised, she said. The surge in cases and fears of a lockdown have sparked mass departures of people from the city, where authorities are clinging to a "dynamic zero" policy that seeks to eradicate all outbreaks at all costs. Hong Kong saw a net outflow of more than 71,000 people in February, the most since the beginning of the pandemic, according to government data, compared with 16,879 in December. On the other hand, bans on flights from nine countries including the United States, Britain and Australia are in place until April 20, leaving some residents who had left temporarily stranded, unable to get back in. Many restaurants and shops are shuttered, while its Central financial district is eerily quiet and few people are out in normally bustling neighbourhoods. Highlighting growing public frustration, prominent businessman and government adviser Allan Zeman said on Tuesday the city's international reputation had been "very damaged" and alarm had been created by the confusing messages. Hong Kong has reported about 400,000 cases of COVID since the coronavirus emerged in the Chinese city of Wuhan in late 2019 and some 1,500 deaths, far fewer than many other cities. Most infections and deaths were recorded in the past month.

Covid-19: Hong Kong retail chains ration staples to curb panic buying

Local media reports state that Hong Kong is all set to report a new record of over 50,000 daily new infections on Wednesday. This comes in as Chief Executive Carrie Lam sought to reassure residents during a television interview from a railroad yard just after the first bundle of goods arrived from China to the city.&nbsp;

The densely populated metropolis is in the throes of a record virus surge with thousands of confirmed cases every day. China's aim is to ensure that Hong Kong has enough food and other supplies during the outbreak, said Lam.&nbsp;

She further urged the residents to stop their panicked purchasing.&nbsp;

Acknowledging the fact that there won’t be enough beds to isolate everyone, she vowed to make the process as quick and comprehensive as possible.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/all-hong-kongers-must-undergo-three-rounds-of-compulsory-coronavirus-tests-carrie-lam-455392">Also read |&nbsp;All Hong Kongers must undergo three rounds of compulsory coronavirus tests: Carrie Lam</a>

Earlier, Lam had said that all Hong Kongers must undergo three rounds of compulsory coronavirus testing. "The coming one to three months are crucial in fighting the pandemic," Lam told a press briefing.

Lam reiterated the city's "dynamic zero COVID" strategy similar to mainland China, aiming to eradicate any outbreaks at all costs. She repeatedly thanked mainland authorities for their "staunch support."

The order for citywide testing comes after mainland Chinese authorities dispatched epidemiologists, health workers and other medical resources last week to help contain the outbreak in the semi-autonomous Chinese city.

(With inputs from agencies)

Local media reports state that Hong Kong is all set to report a new record of over 50,000 daily new infections on Wednesday. This comes in as Chief Executive Carrie Lam sought to reassure residents during a television interview from a railroad yard just after the first bundle of goods arrived from China to the city.

Local media reports state that Hong Kong is all set to report a new record of over 50,000 daily new infections on Wednesday. This comes in as Chief Executive Carrie Lam sought to reassure residents during a television interview from a railroad yard just after the first bundle of goods arrived from China to the city. The densely populated metropolis is in the throes of a record virus surge with thousands of confirmed cases every day. China's aim is to ensure that Hong Kong has enough food and other supplies during the outbreak, said Lam. She further urged the residents to stop their panicked purchasing. Acknowledging the fact that there won’t be enough beds to isolate everyone, she vowed to make the process as quick and comprehensive as possible. Also read | All Hong Kongers must undergo three rounds of compulsory coronavirus tests: Carrie Lam Earlier, Lam had said that all Hong Kongers must undergo three rounds of compulsory coronavirus testing. "The coming one to three months are crucial in fighting the pandemic," Lam told a press briefing. Lam reiterated the city's "dynamic zero COVID" strategy similar to mainland China, aiming to eradicate any outbreaks at all costs. She repeatedly thanked mainland authorities for their "staunch support." The order for citywide testing comes after mainland Chinese authorities dispatched epidemiologists, health workers and other medical resources last week to help contain the outbreak in the semi-autonomous Chinese city. (With inputs from agencies)

Hong Kong records 50,000 Covid cases as first bundle of goods arrive from China

Hong&nbsp;Kongers stripped shop shelves bare Tuesday as&nbsp;panic&nbsp;buying&nbsp;set in following mixed messaging from the government over whether it plans a China-style hard&nbsp;lockdown&nbsp;this month.

Uncertainty over Covid rules has sent the city's residents flocking to supermarkets, chemists and vegetable stores to stock up, leaving shelves empty across the city.

Photos circulating on social media showed people had trouble finding a variety of items including meat, vegetables, frozen foods, noodles, paracetamol and testing kits.&nbsp;

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-mortuaries-hit-capacity-as-covid-deaths-climb-457455">&nbsp;Hong Kong mortuaries hit capacity as COVID deaths climb</a>

"We are like ants going home, grabbing a bit at one spot at a time," a woman, who gave her surname Wu, told AFP on Tuesday in a supermarket where most vegetables and meat had been snapped up.

The financial hub is in the grips of its worst coronavirus outbreak, registering tens of thousands of new cases each day, overwhelming hospitals and shattering the city's zero-Covid strategy.

Authorities plan to test all 7.4 million residents this month and isolate all infections either at home or in a series of camps that are still being constructed with the help of mainland China.

City leader Carrie Lam had initially ruled out a mainland style&nbsp;lockdown&nbsp;where people are confined to their homes during the testing period.

But on Monday, health chief Sophia Chan confirmed it was still on the table, a day after a senior Chinese health official described it as the best option.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-reports-record-daily-covid-cases-and-83-deaths-457121">Hong Kong reports record daily COVID cases and 83 deaths</a>

On Tuesday multiple&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;media including HK01, Singtao and South China Morning Post also said authorities were planning a variety of&nbsp;lockdown&nbsp;options for the test period, citing sources.

SCMP's said the current favoured option was a nine-day "large-scale&nbsp;lockdown" where most residents would only be allowed out to by food.

One of the most densely populated cities on Earth,&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong's supermarkets have limited backroom storage space and saw waves of&nbsp;panic&nbsp;buying&nbsp;at the start of the pandemic two years ago.

City apartments are also some of the smallest in the world leaving little space to stock up.&nbsp;

Rules change every day

The vast majority of&nbsp;HongKong's food is imported from mainland China and the current supply crunch has been worsened by cross border truckers getting infected by the high transmissible Omicron variant.

More than 190,000 infections have been recorded in the last two months compared to just 12,000 for the rest of the pandemic.

The government released a statement late Monday saying food supplies remained constant and that there was no need for&nbsp;panic&nbsp;buying.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/all-hong-kongers-must-undergo-three-rounds-of-compulsory-coronavirus-tests-carrie-lam-455392">All Hong Kongers must undergo three rounds of compulsory coronavirus tests: Carrie Lam</a>

"You don't need to worry about food and other necessities,&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;has sufficient goods and material reserve," the city's number two official John Lee told reporters as he presided over the opening of a 3,900 bed isolation facility where mild infections will be treated.

But analysts said uncertainty and distrust were fuelling consumer habits.

"We have so many questions but all answers are 'to be confirmed'," Chan Ka-lok, an international politics scholar at Baptist University, wrote on social media.

"Rush to buy and stock up, let the people decide how to live their life."

Tom Grundy, editor of the&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;Free Press news website, described the latest&nbsp;panic&nbsp;buying&nbsp;as "a massive failure of gov't communications".

"Rules changing every few days, u-turns, botched stats, poor data disclosure," he wrote on Twitter.

Faith in government assurances is low in&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong, where authorities have carried out a two-year crackdown on dissent after huge democracy protests and have a history of backpeddling on promises.&nbsp;

The decision to mass test residents was itself a policy U-turn -- Lam had previously ruled out such a step before backing it last month.

It is not yet clear when testing will take place and what the government will do with all the cases it finds.&nbsp;

Some 70,000 isolation units for mild cases are due to come online in the coming weeks, in requisitioned hotels, public housing units and camps being built with Chinese help.

That will cover roughly two days of infections at&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong's current official caseload.&nbsp;

Hong Kongers stripped shop shelves bare Tuesday as panic buying set in following mixed messaging from the government over whether it plans a China-style hard lockdown this month.

Hong Kongers stripped shop shelves bare Tuesday as panic buying set in following mixed messaging from the government over whether it plans a China-style hard lockdown this month. Uncertainty over Covid rules has sent the city's residents flocking to supermarkets, chemists and vegetable stores to stock up, leaving shelves empty across the city. Photos circulating on social media showed people had trouble finding a variety of items including meat, vegetables, frozen foods, noodles, paracetamol and testing kits. Also read | Hong Kong mortuaries hit capacity as COVID deaths climb "We are like ants going home, grabbing a bit at one spot at a time," a woman, who gave her surname Wu, told AFP on Tuesday in a supermarket where most vegetables and meat had been snapped up. The financial hub is in the grips of its worst coronavirus outbreak, registering tens of thousands of new cases each day, overwhelming hospitals and shattering the city's zero-Covid strategy. Authorities plan to test all 7.4 million residents this month and isolate all infections either at home or in a series of camps that are still being constructed with the help of mainland China. City leader Carrie Lam had initially ruled out a mainland style lockdown where people are confined to their homes during the testing period. But on Monday, health chief Sophia Chan confirmed it was still on the table, a day after a senior Chinese health official described it as the best option. Also read | Hong Kong reports record daily COVID cases and 83 deaths On Tuesday multiple Hong Kong media including HK01, Singtao and South China Morning Post also said authorities were planning a variety of lockdown options for the test period, citing sources. SCMP's said the current favoured option was a nine-day "large-scale lockdown" where most residents would only be allowed out to by food. One of the most densely populated cities on Earth, Hong Kong's supermarkets have limited backroom storage space and saw waves of panic buying at the start of the pandemic two years ago. City apartments are also some of the smallest in the world leaving little space to stock up. Rules change every day The vast majority of HongKong's food is imported from mainland China and the current supply crunch has been worsened by cross border truckers getting infected by the high transmissible Omicron variant. More than 190,000 infections have been recorded in the last two months compared to just 12,000 for the rest of the pandemic. The government released a statement late Monday saying food supplies remained constant and that there was no need for panic buying. Also read | All Hong Kongers must undergo three rounds of compulsory coronavirus tests: Carrie Lam "You don't need to worry about food and other necessities, Hong Kong has sufficient goods and material reserve," the city's number two official John Lee told reporters as he presided over the opening of a 3,900 bed isolation facility where mild infections will be treated. But analysts said uncertainty and distrust were fuelling consumer habits. "We have so many questions but all answers are 'to be confirmed'," Chan Ka-lok, an international politics scholar at Baptist University, wrote on social media. "Rush to buy and stock up, let the people decide how to live their life." Tom Grundy, editor of the Hong Kong Free Press news website, described the latest panic buying as "a massive failure of gov't communications". "Rules changing every few days, u-turns, botched stats, poor data disclosure," he wrote on Twitter. Faith in government assurances is low in Hong Kong, where authorities have carried out a two-year crackdown on dissent after huge democracy protests and have a history of backpeddling on promises. The decision to mass test residents was itself a policy U-turn -- Lam had previously ruled out such a step before backing it last month. It is not yet clear when testing will take place and what the government will do with all the cases it finds. Some 70,000 isolation units for mild cases are due to come online in the coming weeks, in requisitioned hotels, public housing units and camps being built with Chinese help. That will cover roughly two days of infections at Hong Kong's current official caseload.

COVID-19: Lockdown fears spark panic buying in Hong Kong

In a possible sign that China's leadership is rethinking its zero-Covid strategy, top Chinese scientist Zeng Guang has said that Beijing's strategy against Covid-19 cannot "remain unchanged forever.''

He added that&nbsp;"it is the long-term goal of humanity to co-exist with the virus'' at tolerable death and illness rates.

Other than putting China at odds with the rest of the world and the policy is exacting a mounting economic toll.

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Zeng is the former chief scientist of China's Center for Disease Control and Prevention and one of the experts behind the country's initial Covid response.&nbsp;

Zeng said that while China's approach had prevented the early chaos of widespread infection experienced by many Western countries, its low infection rate was now a "soft spot" as far fewer people had built up natural immunity.

He said Western countries were now showing "commendable courage" in exploring how to live with the virus and that China should "observe and learn" even though there was still "no need to open the country's doors at the peak of the global pandemic".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/warning-from-wuhan-chinese-scientists-say-new-covid-variant-neocov-has-high-mortality-rate-report-448335">Also read |&nbsp;Warning from Wuhan: Chinese scientists say new Covid variant 'NeoCov' has high mortality rate - Report</a>

"In the near future, at the right time, the roadmap for Chinese-style co-existence with the virus should be presented," Zeng said.

His comments are unusual for an official in China's government, which has touted its low infection rates to the Chinese public as a sign of the superiority of its approach. &nbsp;

"For a large country with a population of 1.4 billion, it must be said that the cost effectiveness of our country's prevention and control has been extremely high," said Liang Wannian, head of the expert epidemic prevention group at China's National Health Commission.

Kristalina Georgieva, managing director of the International Monetary Fund, called on China last week to "reassess" its approach, saying it had now become a "burden" on both the Chinese and global economies.

But China is concerned the cost of lowering its defences could prove even higher, especially with a healthcare system that has lagged its broader development.&nbsp;

It is also wary of the risk of new variants, especially as it refuses to import foreign vaccines. Studies suggest China's vaccines are less effective against Omicron and it has not yet rolled out its own mRNA version.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-coronavirus-flareups-surge-in-provinces-429245">Also read |&nbsp;China's coronavirus 'flareups' surge in provinces</a>

"With a large population and high density the government is rightly concerned about impacts for the spread of the virus," said Jaya Dantas, professor of international health at the Curtin School of Population Health in Perth, Australia.

China had 4.7 million registered nurses at the end of 2020, or 3.35 per 1,000 people, official data showed.&nbsp;

Wu Zunyou, chief epidemiologist at the Chinese Center For Disease Control and Prevention, warned the "insidious" Omicron could still lead to a rise in the absolute number of deaths even if it was proven to be less deadly, and China must remain patient.

"China's medical capacity and standards are not as good as Britain or the United States, but the results of China's coronavirus prevention and control are far, far superior," he said in a weekend interview with the Beijing News.

'Premature optimism'

China has stepped up its health warnings, urging citizens to ignore claims that Omicron is no more serious than the 'flu and to stay vigilant.

On Wednesday, the Global Times, published by the official People's Daily, also lashed out at overseas media for "mocking" China's policies, saying they saved lives.

Foreign criticism was "based on unfounded or premature optimism regarding the end of the pandemic", it added.

Experts in China and overseas have also cast doubt on the hope that Omicron represents the final stage of the pandemic.

"SARS-CoV-2 will not magically turn into a malaria-like endemic infection where levels stay constant for long periods," said Raina MacIntyre, head of the Biosecurity Research Programme at the University of New South Wales' Kirby Institute.

"It will keep causing epidemic waves, driven by waning vaccine immunity, new variants that escape vaccine protection, unvaccinated pockets, births and migration," she said.

The country where the coronavirus was first detected in 2019 is now one of the last places still clinging to a zero-tolerance approach, responding to small outbreaks with snap lockdowns and cutting off most international travel.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

In a possible sign that China's leadership is rethinking its zero-Covid strategy, top Chinese scientist Zeng Guang has said that Beijing's strategy against Covid-19 cannot "remain unchanged forever.

In a possible sign that China's leadership is rethinking its zero-Covid strategy, top Chinese scientist Zeng Guang has said that Beijing's strategy against Covid-19 cannot "remain unchanged forever.'' He added that "it is the long-term goal of humanity to co-exist with the virus'' at tolerable death and illness rates. Other than putting China at odds with the rest of the world and the policy is exacting a mounting economic toll. Zeng is the former chief scientist of China's Center for Disease Control and Prevention and one of the experts behind the country's initial Covid response. Zeng said that while China's approach had prevented the early chaos of widespread infection experienced by many Western countries, its low infection rate was now a "soft spot" as far fewer people had built up natural immunity. He said Western countries were now showing "commendable courage" in exploring how to live with the virus and that China should "observe and learn" even though there was still "no need to open the country's doors at the peak of the global pandemic". Also read | Warning from Wuhan: Chinese scientists say new Covid variant 'NeoCov' has high mortality rate - Report "In the near future, at the right time, the roadmap for Chinese-style co-existence with the virus should be presented," Zeng said. His comments are unusual for an official in China's government, which has touted its low infection rates to the Chinese public as a sign of the superiority of its approach. "For a large country with a population of 1.4 billion, it must be said that the cost effectiveness of our country's prevention and control has been extremely high," said Liang Wannian, head of the expert epidemic prevention group at China's National Health Commission. Kristalina Georgieva, managing director of the International Monetary Fund, called on China last week to "reassess" its approach, saying it had now become a "burden" on both the Chinese and global economies. But China is concerned the cost of lowering its defences could prove even higher, especially with a healthcare system that has lagged its broader development. It is also wary of the risk of new variants, especially as it refuses to import foreign vaccines. Studies suggest China's vaccines are less effective against Omicron and it has not yet rolled out its own mRNA version. Also read | China's coronavirus 'flareups' surge in provinces "With a large population and high density the government is rightly concerned about impacts for the spread of the virus," said Jaya Dantas, professor of international health at the Curtin School of Population Health in Perth, Australia. China had 4.7 million registered nurses at the end of 2020, or 3.35 per 1,000 people, official data showed. Wu Zunyou, chief epidemiologist at the Chinese Center For Disease Control and Prevention, warned the "insidious" Omicron could still lead to a rise in the absolute number of deaths even if it was proven to be less deadly, and China must remain patient. "China's medical capacity and standards are not as good as Britain or the United States, but the results of China's coronavirus prevention and control are far, far superior," he said in a weekend interview with the Beijing News. 'Premature optimism' China has stepped up its health warnings, urging citizens to ignore claims that Omicron is no more serious than the 'flu and to stay vigilant. On Wednesday, the Global Times, published by the official People's Daily, also lashed out at overseas media for "mocking" China's policies, saying they saved lives. Foreign criticism was "based on unfounded or premature optimism regarding the end of the pandemic", it added. Experts in China and overseas have also cast doubt on the hope that Omicron represents the final stage of the pandemic. "SARS-CoV-2 will not magically turn into a malaria-like endemic infection where levels stay constant for long periods," said Raina MacIntyre, head of the Biosecurity Research Programme at the University of New South Wales' Kirby Institute. "It will keep causing epidemic waves, driven by waning vaccine immunity, new variants that escape vaccine protection, unvaccinated pockets, births and migration," she said. The country where the coronavirus was first detected in 2019 is now one of the last places still clinging to a zero-tolerance approach, responding to small outbreaks with snap lockdowns and cutting off most international travel. (With inputs from agencies)

China to exit zero-Covid strategy? Top scientist says it cannot 'remain unchanged forever'

Facilities for storing dead bodies at hospitals and public&nbsp;mortuaries&nbsp;in&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;are at maximum&nbsp;capacity&nbsp;due to a record number of&nbsp;COVID-19 fatalities, the Hospital Authority said on Monday, as officials battle to control a surge in cases.

The global financial hub reported a daily record high of 34,466 new coronavirus infections and 87&nbsp;deaths&nbsp;on Monday, health authorities said.

Separately, the city's Education Secretary said international schools could maintain their original term dates, after widespread confusion over summer school holidays.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-reports-record-daily-covid-cases-and-83-deaths-457121">Hong Kong reports record daily COVID cases and 83 deaths</a>

Kevin Yeung said international schools could continue with online classes through March and April, while local schools will take an early break for the summer from March until mid-April.

School campuses are expected to be used by the government in March as authorities roll out compulsory testing of the city's 7.4 million population.

The government has not ruled out a city-wide lockdown during the mass testing period, local broadcaster RTHK reported, citing Health Secretary Sophia Chan. Leader Carrie Lam has previously said she was not considering a city-wide lockdown for the moment.

Empty grocery shelves were seen across several supermarkets in the Chinese-ruled financial hub as residents scooped up essentials in case of a potential lockdown.

The Hospital Authority said the number of patients dying from&nbsp;COVID-19 or serious complications triggered by the cold weather sharply increased over the past two weeks, putting immense pressure on the mortuary service in public hospitals.

"The storage space in hospital&nbsp;mortuaries&nbsp;has reached full&nbsp;capacity," the authority told Reuters in an email.

Dozens of bodies are waiting in hospital accident and emergency rooms to be transported to&nbsp;mortuaries, said Tony Ling, head of the city's Public Doctors Association.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/all-hong-kongers-must-undergo-three-rounds-of-compulsory-coronavirus-tests-carrie-lam-455392">All Hong Kongers must undergo three rounds of compulsory coronavirus tests: Carrie Lam</a>

"These bodies now need extra time to wait for collection because resources are just so tight," due to manpower and storage&nbsp;capacity&nbsp;shortages, he said.

The government did not respond to requests for comment.

There have been more than 600 coronavirus-linked&nbsp;deaths&nbsp;in&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;since the start of the pandemic in 2020, fewer than in other similar major cities.

However, numbers are&nbsp;climbing daily with around 400&nbsp;deaths&nbsp;recorded in the past week, with the majority being unvaccinated residents.

Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;has a large proportion of unvaccinated elderly despite a recent pick-up in vaccinations. Many have hesitated to be inoculated due to a fear of side effects and complacency due to the city's success in controlling the virus in 2021.

Around 600 elderly care and disability centres have been infected over the past month, authorities said.

Medical experts have said the city of 7.4 million residents could see cumulative&nbsp;deaths&nbsp;from the virus potentially rising to around 3,200 by mid-May.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Covid-19 surge brings Hong Kong to its knees

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-covid-19-surge-brings-hong-kong-to-its-knees-454147/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Around 4,000 people on average die each month in&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong, according to 2020 government figures.

Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;has stuck firmly to a "dynamic zero" coronavirus policy which seeks to curb all outbreaks, like that in mainland China. To achieve this, the former British colony has unleashed its most draconian measures since the start of the pandemic, adding to rules that were already among the world's toughest.

The city has recorded over 190,000 infections in total, with around 180,000 of them since the start of February due to the highly transmissible Omicron variant.

The government has in recent days communicated to the public at press conferences that the&nbsp;deaths&nbsp;are mostly among unvaccinated people. Previously that information was not readily given.

Facilities for storing dead bodies at hospitals and public mortuaries in Hong Kong are at maximum capacity due to a record number of COVID-19 fatalities, the Hospital Authority said on Monday, as officials battle to control a surge in cases.

Facilities for storing dead bodies at hospitals and public mortuaries in Hong Kong are at maximum capacity due to a record number of COVID-19 fatalities, the Hospital Authority said on Monday, as officials battle to control a surge in cases. The global financial hub reported a daily record high of 34,466 new coronavirus infections and 87 deaths on Monday, health authorities said. Separately, the city's Education Secretary said international schools could maintain their original term dates, after widespread confusion over summer school holidays. Also read | Hong Kong reports record daily COVID cases and 83 deaths Kevin Yeung said international schools could continue with online classes through March and April, while local schools will take an early break for the summer from March until mid-April. School campuses are expected to be used by the government in March as authorities roll out compulsory testing of the city's 7.4 million population. The government has not ruled out a city-wide lockdown during the mass testing period, local broadcaster RTHK reported, citing Health Secretary Sophia Chan. Leader Carrie Lam has previously said she was not considering a city-wide lockdown for the moment. Empty grocery shelves were seen across several supermarkets in the Chinese-ruled financial hub as residents scooped up essentials in case of a potential lockdown. The Hospital Authority said the number of patients dying from COVID-19 or serious complications triggered by the cold weather sharply increased over the past two weeks, putting immense pressure on the mortuary service in public hospitals. "The storage space in hospital mortuaries has reached full capacity," the authority told Reuters in an email. Dozens of bodies are waiting in hospital accident and emergency rooms to be transported to mortuaries, said Tony Ling, head of the city's Public Doctors Association. Also read | All Hong Kongers must undergo three rounds of compulsory coronavirus tests: Carrie Lam "These bodies now need extra time to wait for collection because resources are just so tight," due to manpower and storage capacity shortages, he said. The government did not respond to requests for comment. There have been more than 600 coronavirus-linked deaths in Hong Kong since the start of the pandemic in 2020, fewer than in other similar major cities. However, numbers are climbing daily with around 400 deaths recorded in the past week, with the majority being unvaccinated residents. Hong Kong has a large proportion of unvaccinated elderly despite a recent pick-up in vaccinations. Many have hesitated to be inoculated due to a fear of side effects and complacency due to the city's success in controlling the virus in 2021. Around 600 elderly care and disability centres have been infected over the past month, authorities said. Medical experts have said the city of 7.4 million residents could see cumulative deaths from the virus potentially rising to around 3,200 by mid-May. Watch | Gravitas: Covid-19 surge brings Hong Kong to its knees Around 4,000 people on average die each month in Hong Kong, according to 2020 government figures. Hong Kong has stuck firmly to a "dynamic zero" coronavirus policy which seeks to curb all outbreaks, like that in mainland China. To achieve this, the former British colony has unleashed its most draconian measures since the start of the pandemic, adding to rules that were already among the world's toughest. The city has recorded over 190,000 infections in total, with around 180,000 of them since the start of February due to the highly transmissible Omicron variant. The government has in recent days communicated to the public at press conferences that the deaths are mostly among unvaccinated people. Previously that information was not readily given.

Hong Kong mortuaries hit capacity as COVID deaths climb

Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;reported a record 26,026 daily COVID-19 infections on Sunday and 83 deaths, as an outbreak of the highly transmissible Omicron variant overwhelms healthcare facilities and proves hard to control.

The global financial hub has imposed some of the most stringent COVID restrictions in the world to cope with the coronavirus spike, leading some executives to leave and frustrating some residents.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/all-hong-kongers-must-undergo-three-rounds-of-compulsory-coronavirus-tests-carrie-lam-455392">All Hong Kongers must undergo three rounds of compulsory coronavirus tests: Carrie Lam</a>

While most major cities seek to live with the virus,&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;has imposed its harshest rules yet, following the mainland with a "dynamic zero-COVID" strategy aiming to eradicate the disease. This proved largely successful until the Omicron spike overwhelmed the city's tracking and isolation processes.

At the start of a sensitive political year for Chinese President Xi Jinping, Beijing is deeply invested in the city's response. Xi says fighting the pandemic is the city's "overriding mission".

Hong&nbsp;Kong's outbreak has inundated its public health system, triggering a raft of measures including the construction of more isolation and treatment units.

“We are very worried,” Albert Au of&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong's department of health told a news conference. "Case numbers are still on the rise, and we expect that there will be a rising trend for the foreseeable future."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amid-a-surge-in-cases-hong-kong-to-ramp-up-isolation-facilities-454688">Amid a surge in cases, Hong Kong to ramp up isolation facilities</a>

Some experts predict the city of 7.4 million will have up to 180,000 cases daily next month.

The most vulnerable are particularly at risk, with 67 of the 83 deaths reported on Sunday at nursing homes. Vaccination rates among the elderly have been relatively low and many suffer from chronic illnesses.

Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;is hiring 1,000 temporary workers from mainland China to care for elderly COVID patients at its isolation and treatment facilities, said Law Chi-kwong, secretary for labour and welfare.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Covid-19 surge brings Hong Kong to its knees

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-covid-19-surge-brings-hong-kong-to-its-knees-454147/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Officials have said the mainland would help provide testing, treatment and quarantine capacity. Last week city leader Carrie Lam used emergency powers granted under British colonial-era laws to exempt mainland Chinese staff and projects from any licensing or other legal requirements.

Hong Kong reported a record 26,026 daily COVID-19 infections on Sunday and 83 deaths, as an outbreak of the highly transmissible Omicron variant overwhelms healthcare facilities and proves hard to control.

Hong Kong reported a record 26,026 daily COVID-19 infections on Sunday and 83 deaths, as an outbreak of the highly transmissible Omicron variant overwhelms healthcare facilities and proves hard to control. The global financial hub has imposed some of the most stringent COVID restrictions in the world to cope with the coronavirus spike, leading some executives to leave and frustrating some residents. Also read | All Hong Kongers must undergo three rounds of compulsory coronavirus tests: Carrie Lam While most major cities seek to live with the virus, Hong Kong has imposed its harshest rules yet, following the mainland with a "dynamic zero-COVID" strategy aiming to eradicate the disease. This proved largely successful until the Omicron spike overwhelmed the city's tracking and isolation processes. At the start of a sensitive political year for Chinese President Xi Jinping, Beijing is deeply invested in the city's response. Xi says fighting the pandemic is the city's "overriding mission". Hong Kong's outbreak has inundated its public health system, triggering a raft of measures including the construction of more isolation and treatment units. “We are very worried,” Albert Au of Hong Kong's department of health told a news conference. "Case numbers are still on the rise, and we expect that there will be a rising trend for the foreseeable future." Also read | Amid a surge in cases, Hong Kong to ramp up isolation facilities Some experts predict the city of 7.4 million will have up to 180,000 cases daily next month. The most vulnerable are particularly at risk, with 67 of the 83 deaths reported on Sunday at nursing homes. Vaccination rates among the elderly have been relatively low and many suffer from chronic illnesses. Hong Kong is hiring 1,000 temporary workers from mainland China to care for elderly COVID patients at its isolation and treatment facilities, said Law Chi-kwong, secretary for labour and welfare. Watch | Gravitas: Covid-19 surge brings Hong Kong to its knees Officials have said the mainland would help provide testing, treatment and quarantine capacity. Last week city leader Carrie Lam used emergency powers granted under British colonial-era laws to exempt mainland Chinese staff and projects from any licensing or other legal requirements.

Hong Kong reports record daily COVID cases and 83 deaths

The Indian men`s football team will have to contend with Hong Kong, Afghanistan and Cambodia in its bid to qualify for next year`s AFC Asian Cup in China. 
 
India, who are ranked 104th in FIFA Rankings, have drawn lower-ranked opponents in Hong Kong (148), Afghanistan (150) and Cambodia (171) in the draw for the final qualifying round conducted virtually in the Malaysian capital on Thursday. 
 
In the final round qualifiers, 24 teams have been divided into six groups of four each. India will host the Group D matches at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK) in Kolkata with matches being played on June 8, 11 and 14, 2022. 
 
The six group winners and five best second-placed teams will join hosts China PR, Australia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Iraq, Japan, Korea Republic, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria and the United Arab Emirates and Vietnam in the Finals, which will start in China on June 16, 2023, the Asian Football Confederation informed in a release on Thursday.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/uefa-calls-extraordinary-meeting-to-discuss-situation-in-the-wake-of-russia-ukraine-crisis-456057">UEFA calls extraordinary meeting to discuss situation in the wake of Russia-Ukraine crisis</a>

The groupings: 
 
Group A: Jordan, Kuwait (H), Indonesia, Nepal 
 
Group B: Palestine, Philippines, Yemen, Mongolia (H) 
 
Group C: Uzbekistan (H), Thailand, Maldives, Sri Lanka 
 
Group D: India (H), Hong Kong, Afghanistan, Cambodia 
 
Group E: Bahrain, Turkmenistan, Malaysia (H), Bangladesh 
 
Group F: Kyrgyz Republic (H), Tajikistan, Myanmar, Singapore

The Indian men`s football team will have to contend with Hong Kong, Afghanistan and Cambodia in its bid to qualify for next year`s AFC Asian Cup in China. India, who are ranked 104th in FIFA Rankings, have drawn lower-ranked opponents in Hong Kong (148), Afghanistan (150) and Cambodia (171) in the draw for the final qualifying round conducted virtually in the Malaysian capital on Thursday.

The Indian men`s football team will have to contend with Hong Kong, Afghanistan and Cambodia in its bid to qualify for next year`s AFC Asian Cup in China. India, who are ranked 104th in FIFA Rankings, have drawn lower-ranked opponents in Hong Kong (148), Afghanistan (150) and Cambodia (171) in the draw for the final qualifying round conducted virtually in the Malaysian capital on Thursday. In the final round qualifiers, 24 teams have been divided into six groups of four each. India will host the Group D matches at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK) in Kolkata with matches being played on June 8, 11 and 14, 2022. The six group winners and five best second-placed teams will join hosts China PR, Australia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Iraq, Japan, Korea Republic, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria and the United Arab Emirates and Vietnam in the Finals, which will start in China on June 16, 2023, the Asian Football Confederation informed in a release on Thursday. ALSO READ | UEFA calls extraordinary meeting to discuss situation in the wake of Russia-Ukraine crisis The groupings: Group A: Jordan, Kuwait (H), Indonesia, Nepal Group B: Palestine, Philippines, Yemen, Mongolia (H) Group C: Uzbekistan (H), Thailand, Maldives, Sri Lanka Group D: India (H), Hong Kong, Afghanistan, Cambodia Group E: Bahrain, Turkmenistan, Malaysia (H), Bangladesh Group F: Kyrgyz Republic (H), Tajikistan, Myanmar, Singapore

AFC Asian Cup: Sunil Chhetri-led India to face Hong Kong, Afghanistan, Cambodia in final qualifiers

Hong Kong is reeling under the fifth Covid-19 wave led by the Omicron variant. Elections in the country have been postponed and nearly 7.4 million people have been put under strict mandates as Covid cases rise in the country.

Hong Kong to enforce mass testing amid Fifth wave of COVID-19 led by the Omicron variant

Chief executive Carrie Lam has said that all Hong Kongers must undergo three rounds of compulsory coronavirus testing.

"The coming one to three months are crucial in fighting the pandemic," Lam told a press briefing.

The densely populated metropolis is in the throes of a record virus surge with thousands of confirmed cases every day threatening to overwhelm hospitals and the city's strict isolation system.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/hong-kong-turning-old-airport-into-covid-19-isolation-facility-455104/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Lam reiterated the city's "dynamic zero COVID" strategy similar to mainland China, aiming to eradicate any outbreaks at all costs. She repeatedly thanked mainland authorities for their "staunch support."

“Since we have a population of some 7 million people, testing will take about seven days,” she said.

The tests will be spread out over a number of days with residents also having to take multiple rapid antigen tests every day at home in between.

Lam said a flight ban from nine countries including the United States and Britain would remain in place until April 20 with other countries potentially being added to the list.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amid-a-surge-in-cases-hong-kong-to-ramp-up-isolation-facilities-454688">Also read |&nbsp;Amid a surge in cases, Hong Kong to ramp up isolation facilities</a>

Schools and multiple businesses such as gyms, bars and beauty salons will remain closed into late April with education facilities turned into local testing centres.

Lam said the city's vaccination rate should reach around 90 per cent&nbsp;for one dose by March, up from around 86 per cent currently.

"Stay confident and we will see the rainbow," Lam said.

Hong Kong has reported about 5,000 new daily infections since February 15, with the cases threatening to overwhelm its healthcare system. Since the current surge began at the beginning of the year, the city has recorded nearly 54,000 cases and 145 deaths.

The order for citywide testing comes after mainland Chinese authorities dispatched epidemiologists, health workers and other medical resources last week to help contain the outbreak in the semi-autonomous Chinese city.

(With inputs from agencies)

Chief executive Carrie Lam has said that all Hong Kongers must undergo three rounds of compulsory coronavirus testing. "The coming one to three months are crucial in fighting the pandemic," Lam told a press briefing.

Chief executive Carrie Lam has said that all Hong Kongers must undergo three rounds of compulsory coronavirus testing. "The coming one to three months are crucial in fighting the pandemic," Lam told a press briefing. The densely populated metropolis is in the throes of a record virus surge with thousands of confirmed cases every day threatening to overwhelm hospitals and the city's strict isolation system. Lam reiterated the city's "dynamic zero COVID" strategy similar to mainland China, aiming to eradicate any outbreaks at all costs. She repeatedly thanked mainland authorities for their "staunch support." “Since we have a population of some 7 million people, testing will take about seven days,” she said. The tests will be spread out over a number of days with residents also having to take multiple rapid antigen tests every day at home in between. Lam said a flight ban from nine countries including the United States and Britain would remain in place until April 20 with other countries potentially being added to the list. Also read | Amid a surge in cases, Hong Kong to ramp up isolation facilities Schools and multiple businesses such as gyms, bars and beauty salons will remain closed into late April with education facilities turned into local testing centres. Lam said the city's vaccination rate should reach around 90 per cent for one dose by March, up from around 86 per cent currently. "Stay confident and we will see the rainbow," Lam said. Hong Kong has reported about 5,000 new daily infections since February 15, with the cases threatening to overwhelm its healthcare system. Since the current surge began at the beginning of the year, the city has recorded nearly 54,000 cases and 145 deaths. The order for citywide testing comes after mainland Chinese authorities dispatched epidemiologists, health workers and other medical resources last week to help contain the outbreak in the semi-autonomous Chinese city. (With inputs from agencies)

All Hong Kongers must undergo three rounds of compulsory coronavirus tests: Carrie Lam

As Hong Kong battles a surge in Covid-19 cases, the government announced that the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal would be turned into a dedicated coronavirus facility with 1,000 beds to mitigate overburdened public hospitals.

Hong Kong turning old airport into Covid-19 isolation facility

Hong Kong is reeling under the Covid-19 wave led by the Omicron variant. Elections in the country have been postponed and nearly 7.4 million people have been put under strict mandates as Covid cases rise in the country.

Covid wave in Hong Kong: Elections postponed, 7.4 million people put under strict mandates

Hong Kong authorities are ramping up the provision of community isolation and treatment units as cases of coronavirus continue to surge. The government, in a statement, said that the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal would be completely turned into a dedicated Covid facility with 1,000 beds.

On Saturday, Hong Kong reported 6,063 new Covid cases.&nbsp;

China has sent medical personnel to Hong Kong in order to help. As per the authorities, the outbreak will take up to three months to stabilise.

Meanwhile, the officials on Thursday reported that cases in Hong Kong multiplied by 60 times this month, putting the health infrastructure under tremendous strain.

The jump in cases is the biggest test yet of Hong Kong’s “dynamic zero Covid” policy.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kongs-dynamic-zero-covid-policy-put-to-test-covid-cases-multiply-by-60-times-454099">Also read |&nbsp;Hong Kong’s ‘dynamic zero Covid’ policy put to test as cases multiply by 60 times</a>

Schools, gyms, cinemas and most public venues are shut, and many office employees are working from home.

The situation is so dire at public hospitals that one health worker tends to attend at least 20 patients on an average during night shifts, South China Morning reported citing David Chan Kwok-shing, chairman of the labour union Hospital Authority Employees Alliance.

“Some said they have never faced such a bad situation,” he told a radio programme.

Officials have eased discharge criteria for patients to relieve pressure off the health system. There were even reports that some patients, including the elderly, were left lying on beds outside in chilly. This prompted an apology from authorities in the Chinese-controlled city.

(With inputs from agencies)

Hong Kong authorities are ramping up the provision of community isolation and treatment units as cases of coronavirus continue to surge. The government, in a statement, said that the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal would be completely turned into a dedicated Covid facility with 1,000 beds.

Hong Kong authorities are ramping up the provision of community isolation and treatment units as cases of coronavirus continue to surge. The government, in a statement, said that the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal would be completely turned into a dedicated Covid facility with 1,000 beds. On Saturday, Hong Kong reported 6,063 new Covid cases. China has sent medical personnel to Hong Kong in order to help. As per the authorities, the outbreak will take up to three months to stabilise. Meanwhile, the officials on Thursday reported that cases in Hong Kong multiplied by 60 times this month, putting the health infrastructure under tremendous strain. The jump in cases is the biggest test yet of Hong Kong’s “dynamic zero Covid” policy. Also read | Hong Kong’s ‘dynamic zero Covid’ policy put to test as cases multiply by 60 times Schools, gyms, cinemas and most public venues are shut, and many office employees are working from home. The situation is so dire at public hospitals that one health worker tends to attend at least 20 patients on an average during night shifts, South China Morning reported citing David Chan Kwok-shing, chairman of the labour union Hospital Authority Employees Alliance. “Some said they have never faced such a bad situation,” he told a radio programme. Officials have eased discharge criteria for patients to relieve pressure off the health system. There were even reports that some patients, including the elderly, were left lying on beds outside in chilly. This prompted an apology from authorities in the Chinese-controlled city. (With inputs from agencies)

Amid a surge in cases, Hong Kong to ramp up isolation facilities

An Omicron fueled Wuhan Virus surge has brought Hong Kong to its knees. The hospitals in the city are overwhelmed. More than 10,000 people are waiting to be admitted to hospitals. Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: Covid-19 surge brings Hong Kong to its knees

Covid situation worsens in Hong Kong with daily cases climbing over the 4,000 mark. The city fails to maintain its zero covid policy, hundreds of patients are lying in beds outside the hospital as the medical system in the economic hub are overwhelmed by the rising covid cases.

Hospitals overwhelmed as covid-19 cases rise in Hong Kong

Hong Kong is battling a resurgent Covid wave as the officials on Thursday reported that cases multiplied by 60 times this month, putting the health infrastructure under tremendous strain.

The city reported a record of more than 6,100 confirmed Coronavirus cases and over 6,300 suspected infections on Thursday, according to South China Morning Post.

The jump in cases is the biggest test yet of the Hong Kong’s “dynamic zero Covid” policy.

Officials have eased discharge criteria for patients to relieve pressure off the health system over reports that people are waiting for at least 14 days to get a hospital bed.

There were even reports that some patients, including the elderly, were left lying on beds outside in chilly, sometimes rainy weather, in shocking scenes that prompted an apology from authorities in the Chinese-controlled city.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/next-covid-variant-may-be-more-dangerous-than-omicron-say-scientists-453061">Next Covid variant may be more dangerous than Omicron, say scientists</a>

Schools, gyms, cinemas and most public venues are shut, and many office employees are working from home.

The situation is so dire at public hospitals that one health worker tends to at least 20 patients on an average during night shifts, South China Morning reported citing David Chan Kwok-shing, chairman of the labour union Hospital Authority Employees Alliance.

“Some said they have never faced such a bad situation,” he told a radio programme.

Considering that hospitals are stretched out, many Coronavirus patients with mild or no symptoms are reportedly being asked to self-quarantine at home while waiting to be admitted.

As of Tuesday, about 12,000 patients were still in a holding pattern while awaiting admission, the Hong Kong-based newspaper reported.

(With inputs from agencies)

Hong Kong is battling a resurgent Covid wave as the officials on Thursday reported that cases multiplied by 60 times this month, putting the health infrastructure under tremendous strain.

Hong Kong is battling a resurgent Covid wave as the officials on Thursday reported that cases multiplied by 60 times this month, putting the health infrastructure under tremendous strain. The city reported a record of more than 6,100 confirmed Coronavirus cases and over 6,300 suspected infections on Thursday, according to South China Morning Post. The jump in cases is the biggest test yet of the Hong Kong’s “dynamic zero Covid” policy. Officials have eased discharge criteria for patients to relieve pressure off the health system over reports that people are waiting for at least 14 days to get a hospital bed. There were even reports that some patients, including the elderly, were left lying on beds outside in chilly, sometimes rainy weather, in shocking scenes that prompted an apology from authorities in the Chinese-controlled city. Also read | Next Covid variant may be more dangerous than Omicron, say scientists Schools, gyms, cinemas and most public venues are shut, and many office employees are working from home. The situation is so dire at public hospitals that one health worker tends to at least 20 patients on an average during night shifts, South China Morning reported citing David Chan Kwok-shing, chairman of the labour union Hospital Authority Employees Alliance. “Some said they have never faced such a bad situation,” he told a radio programme. Considering that hospitals are stretched out, many Coronavirus patients with mild or no symptoms are reportedly being asked to self-quarantine at home while waiting to be admitted. As of Tuesday, about 12,000 patients were still in a holding pattern while awaiting admission, the Hong Kong-based newspaper reported. (With inputs from agencies)

Hong Kong’s ‘dynamic zero Covid’ policy put to test as cases multiply by 60 times

China on Tuesday censored a website of a Hong Kong rights group amid a crackdown on freedom of speech.

Known as Hong Kong Watch, the UK-based advocacy group said its website could not be accessed through some networks in the Chinese-ruled city.

“If this is not just a technical malfunction, and Hongkongers will no longer be able to access our website because of the national security law, then this is a serious blow to internet freedom,” said Benedict Rogers, the group’s head.

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“With the steady drip of website removals, there are fears that China could begin introducing its great internet firewall into the city. With time, this could have serious ramifications for the continued presence of western technology companies in the city.”

"The latest example shows that at any time, the Hong Kong authorities can decide to block a website. It also shows ... how intransparent the process of blocking and censorship is," Lokman Tsui, a digital rights expert and former journalism professor.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-third-news-company-shutters-amid-chinese-crackdown-on-dissent-441939">Also read |&nbsp;Hong Kong: Third news company shutters amid Chinese crackdown on dissent</a>

Hong Kong, once regarded as a bastion of free speech within authoritarian China, has been transformed by a 2020 law that Beijing imposed to neuter dissent in the wake of huge and often violent democracy protests.&nbsp;

More than 160 people have been arrested under the new security law, including activists and journalists from pro-democracy news outlets.

Rights groups, foreign governments and activists have condemned the law for reversing the freedoms promised to Hong Kong when Britain handed it over to China in 1997.

Often denied bail, many suspects have been detained for long periods before trial. They include several dual nationals, most notably mogul Jimmy Lai, a British-Chinese dual citizen and owner of the now-shuttered pro-democracy Apple Daily newspaper.

Lai has been charged over his alleged role in Tiananmen vigils, annual events commemorating the bloody crackdown on Chinese students calling for reform in Beijing.

Authorities in Hong Kong have shown little tolerance for dissent, and with a "patriots only" electoral system in place, there is negligible push-back to the government in the legislature. 
&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

China on Tuesday censored a website of a Hong Kong rights group amid a crackdown on freedom of speech. Known as Hong Kong Watch, the UK-based advocacy group said its website could not be accessed through some networks in the Chinese-ruled city.

China on Tuesday censored a website of a Hong Kong rights group amid a crackdown on freedom of speech. Known as Hong Kong Watch, the UK-based advocacy group said its website could not be accessed through some networks in the Chinese-ruled city. “If this is not just a technical malfunction, and Hongkongers will no longer be able to access our website because of the national security law, then this is a serious blow to internet freedom,” said Benedict Rogers, the group’s head. “With the steady drip of website removals, there are fears that China could begin introducing its great internet firewall into the city. With time, this could have serious ramifications for the continued presence of western technology companies in the city.” "The latest example shows that at any time, the Hong Kong authorities can decide to block a website. It also shows ... how intransparent the process of blocking and censorship is," Lokman Tsui, a digital rights expert and former journalism professor. Also read | Hong Kong: Third news company shutters amid Chinese crackdown on dissent Hong Kong, once regarded as a bastion of free speech within authoritarian China, has been transformed by a 2020 law that Beijing imposed to neuter dissent in the wake of huge and often violent democracy protests. More than 160 people have been arrested under the new security law, including activists and journalists from pro-democracy news outlets. Rights groups, foreign governments and activists have condemned the law for reversing the freedoms promised to Hong Kong when Britain handed it over to China in 1997. Often denied bail, many suspects have been detained for long periods before trial. They include several dual nationals, most notably mogul Jimmy Lai, a British-Chinese dual citizen and owner of the now-shuttered pro-democracy Apple Daily newspaper. Lai has been charged over his alleged role in Tiananmen vigils, annual events commemorating the bloody crackdown on Chinese students calling for reform in Beijing. Authorities in Hong Kong have shown little tolerance for dissent, and with a "patriots only" electoral system in place, there is negligible push-back to the government in the legislature. (With inputs from agencies)

China censors website of Hong Kong rights group amid crackdown on freedom of speech

Hong Kong is struggling to cope as COVID-19 cases rises to record highs and overwhelms its hospitals. Daily infections have multiplied 13 times over the past two weeks from about 100 cases at the start of February to over 1300 on February 13th, authorities are scrambling to control the deepening outbreak.

Hong Kong's daily covid-19 cases multiply 13 times in last two weeks

Carrie Lam, the head of the administration in Hong Kong said that the latest Covid wave had 'overwhelmed' Hong Kong. On Monday, the daily cases rose by about 20 times those over past two weeks. This has left hospitals short of beds. The health system is struggling to cope.

"The onslaught of the fifth wave of the epidemic has dealt a heavy blow to Hong Kong and overwhelmed the city's capacity of handling," Lam said, adding patients were having to wait longer to access isolation facilities.

"The situation is highly undesirable and the government feels worried and sorry about it," she said.

As the caseload soared, Lam said her administration would coordinate with Chinese officials to tackle the "aggravating situation".

China has said it would help the city with testing, treatment and quarantine, and secure resources from rapid antigen kits and protective gear to fresh vegetables.

Despite the latest surge, deaths in the global financial hub remain far less than similar-sized cities since the pandemic erupted two years ago.

But, with the healthcare system already overstretched, medical experts warn the city could see 28,000 daily infections by the end of March, with the unvaccinated elderly a particular worry.

Hospital beds for COVID-19 patients are already at 90% occupancy, data from the city's Hospital Authority showed, while isolation facilities are near full capacity.

Hong Kong is prioritising elderly, children and those in serious conditions in hospitals, said Larry Lee, chief manager at the city's Hospital Authority.

There are around 1,000 patients waiting to be hospitalised, authorities said on Monday.

(With inputs from agencies)

Carrie Lam, the head of the administration in Hong Kong said that the latest Covid wave had 'overwhelmed' Hong Kong. On Monday, the daily cases rose by about 20 times those over past two weeks.

Carrie Lam, the head of the administration in Hong Kong said that the latest Covid wave had 'overwhelmed' Hong Kong. On Monday, the daily cases rose by about 20 times those over past two weeks. This has left hospitals short of beds. The health system is struggling to cope. "The onslaught of the fifth wave of the epidemic has dealt a heavy blow to Hong Kong and overwhelmed the city's capacity of handling," Lam said, adding patients were having to wait longer to access isolation facilities. "The situation is highly undesirable and the government feels worried and sorry about it," she said. As the caseload soared, Lam said her administration would coordinate with Chinese officials to tackle the "aggravating situation". China has said it would help the city with testing, treatment and quarantine, and secure resources from rapid antigen kits and protective gear to fresh vegetables. Despite the latest surge, deaths in the global financial hub remain far less than similar-sized cities since the pandemic erupted two years ago. But, with the healthcare system already overstretched, medical experts warn the city could see 28,000 daily infections by the end of March, with the unvaccinated elderly a particular worry. Hospital beds for COVID-19 patients are already at 90% occupancy, data from the city's Hospital Authority showed, while isolation facilities are near full capacity. Hong Kong is prioritising elderly, children and those in serious conditions in hospitals, said Larry Lee, chief manager at the city's Hospital Authority. There are around 1,000 patients waiting to be hospitalised, authorities said on Monday. (With inputs from agencies)

Hong Kong 'overwhelmed' due to latest Covid wave: Carrie Lam

At a time when the Covid situation is easing around the world, Hong Kong seems to be in a tight spot as the infections have been rising unabatedly. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The city is getting overwhelmed by the "onslaught", its leader said on Monday. &nbsp;

Over the past two weeks, the daily infections have multiplied 13 times. At the start of February, it was about 100 cases and on February 13, it touched 1,300. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/with-covid-witnessing-downturn-carnival-of-hope-begins-in-venice-452993" hreflang="en">With Covid witnessing downturn, 'Carnival of hope' begins in Venice</a>

The authorities are scrambling to control the deepening outbreak. &nbsp;

In a statement on Monday over the soaring of cases, Hong Kong's leader Carrie Lam said that her administration would coordinate with Chinese officials to tackle the "aggravating situation". &nbsp;

China has also said that it would help the city with testing, quarantine, treatment and securing resources, such as rapid antigen kits, protective gear, fresh vegetables, etc. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-covid-restrictions-eased-for-vaccinated-british-travellers-452978" hreflang="en">France: Covid restrictions eased for vaccinated British travellers</a>

On Monday, the city is due to report around 1,530 COVID-19 cases, broadcaster TVB said, citing an unidentified source. &nbsp;&nbsp;

"The onslaught of the fifth wave of the epidemic has dealt a heavy blow to Hong Kong and overwhelmed the city's capacity of handling. The situation is highly undesirable and the government feels worried and sorry about it," Lam said. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

At a time when the Covid situation is easing around the world, Hong Kong seems to be in a tight spot as the infections have been rising unabatedly. The city is getting overwhelmed by the "onslaught", its leader said on Monday.

At a time when the Covid situation is easing around the world, Hong Kong seems to be in a tight spot as the infections have been rising unabatedly. The city is getting overwhelmed by the "onslaught", its leader said on Monday. Over the past two weeks, the daily infections have multiplied 13 times. At the start of February, it was about 100 cases and on February 13, it touched 1,300. Also Read: With Covid witnessing downturn, 'Carnival of hope' begins in Venice The authorities are scrambling to control the deepening outbreak. In a statement on Monday over the soaring of cases, Hong Kong's leader Carrie Lam said that her administration would coordinate with Chinese officials to tackle the "aggravating situation". China has also said that it would help the city with testing, quarantine, treatment and securing resources, such as rapid antigen kits, protective gear, fresh vegetables, etc. Also Read | France: Covid restrictions eased for vaccinated British travellers On Monday, the city is due to report around 1,530 COVID-19 cases, broadcaster TVB said, citing an unidentified source. "The onslaught of the fifth wave of the epidemic has dealt a heavy blow to Hong Kong and overwhelmed the city's capacity of handling. The situation is highly undesirable and the government feels worried and sorry about it," Lam said. (With inputs from agencies)

Hong Kong overwhelmed by Covid wave’s 'onslaught', says leader Carrie Lam

Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;reported 986 new coronavirus infections on Thursday as authorities scramble to contain an outbreak which medical experts warn could see 28,000 daily cases by the end of March, with the unvaccinated elderly a particular worry.

The rise in cases, up 10-fold since Feb. 1, is proving to be the biggest test for the global financial hub's "dynamic zero" policy of virus suppression, which has turned it into one of the world's most isolated cities.

Following mainland China,&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;is trying to curb outbreaks as soon as possible, in contrast with many other places that are trying to "live with COVID", relying on high vaccination rates to bring protection while easing restrictions.

The fast-spreading Omicron variant is testing both approaches, though experts have said&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong's strategy looks increasingly unsustainable with cases ballooning.

Leader Carrie Lam said she was "deeply sorry and anxious" as residents, including elderly and children, queued for hours at testing centres and to enter isolation facilities after daily infections doubled to a record 1,161 cases on Wednesday.

Writing on her official Facebook page, Lam said the government was working hard to enhance capacity and that the fast-spreading infections, hitting places like elderly care homes, were the last thing she wanted to see.

"Citizens have to wait for a long time to receive testing and a large number of people who have tested positive have been waiting for a long time for isolation facilities," she said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-third-news-company-shutters-amid-chinese-crackdown-on-dissent-441939">Also read |&nbsp;Hong Kong: Third news company shutters amid Chinese crackdown on dissent</a>

"I am deeply sorry and anxious."

Lam said the city was not able to try to live with the virus because more than 50% of the elderly have not been vaccinated.

About 82% of the city's residents have had at least one vaccine shot but many elderly people have been hesitant. Three elderly have died this week from coronavirus, authorities said on Thursday.

However, vaccination rates have finally started to surge in recent days, particularly among older folk, as infections climb and even tougher anti-virus measures like vaccine passports are being put in place.

TEST CENTRES

Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;has reported more than 4,000 infections over the past two weeks, versus just two in December, taking its tally to more than 18,000 since the outbreak began in 2020, with 216 deaths, figures that are much lower than those seen in other major cities around the world.

The city could see 28,000 new cases a day by the end of March, with its tally of deaths rising to 1,000 by June, health experts from the University of&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;said this week.

The experts modelled scenarios that they said indicated&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;could only return to a "zero-covid" state if the entire city was locked down for two to three months.

The government declined to comment directly on speculation of a lockdown, reiterating that people needed to take all measures to contain the virus and limit social activities.

They have responded to the latest surge with the toughest suppression measures yet, despite an increasing social and economic toll on the city's 7.5 million residents.

Public gatherings of more than two people are banned from Thursday while gatherings in homes have also been restricted. The rules add to already strict measures that have forced restaurants to close from 6. p.m. and shut most churches to schools, gyms and cinemas.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/beyond-tragic-who-reports-130-million-cases-and-500000-deaths-linked-to-omicron-451604">Also read |&nbsp;'Beyond tragic': WHO reports 130 million cases and 500,000 deaths linked to Omicron</a>

About 200,000 people in the Discovery Bay residential area, where many foreigners live, have been ordered to get tested after the government said it detected coronavirus in sewage.

Typically, people are mandated to test if they have been in an area where infections are detected, and tens of thousands have thronged testing centres across the city in recent days with queues stretching hundreds of metres.

Ching Tang, a 50-year old resident waiting to get vaccinated, said the pandemic has greatly affected many aspects of life.

"Some older people don't even dare to go out. They stockpile food for many days. Everyone is worried...I hope the government can do better."

Hong Kong reported 986 new coronavirus infections on Thursday as authorities scramble to contain an outbreak which medical experts warn could see 28,000 daily cases by the end of March, with the unvaccinated elderly a particular worry.

Hong Kong reported 986 new coronavirus infections on Thursday as authorities scramble to contain an outbreak which medical experts warn could see 28,000 daily cases by the end of March, with the unvaccinated elderly a particular worry. The rise in cases, up 10-fold since Feb. 1, is proving to be the biggest test for the global financial hub's "dynamic zero" policy of virus suppression, which has turned it into one of the world's most isolated cities. Following mainland China, Hong Kong is trying to curb outbreaks as soon as possible, in contrast with many other places that are trying to "live with COVID", relying on high vaccination rates to bring protection while easing restrictions. The fast-spreading Omicron variant is testing both approaches, though experts have said Hong Kong's strategy looks increasingly unsustainable with cases ballooning. Leader Carrie Lam said she was "deeply sorry and anxious" as residents, including elderly and children, queued for hours at testing centres and to enter isolation facilities after daily infections doubled to a record 1,161 cases on Wednesday. Writing on her official Facebook page, Lam said the government was working hard to enhance capacity and that the fast-spreading infections, hitting places like elderly care homes, were the last thing she wanted to see. "Citizens have to wait for a long time to receive testing and a large number of people who have tested positive have been waiting for a long time for isolation facilities," she said. Also read | Hong Kong: Third news company shutters amid Chinese crackdown on dissent "I am deeply sorry and anxious." Lam said the city was not able to try to live with the virus because more than 50% of the elderly have not been vaccinated. About 82% of the city's residents have had at least one vaccine shot but many elderly people have been hesitant. Three elderly have died this week from coronavirus, authorities said on Thursday. However, vaccination rates have finally started to surge in recent days, particularly among older folk, as infections climb and even tougher anti-virus measures like vaccine passports are being put in place. TEST CENTRES Hong Kong has reported more than 4,000 infections over the past two weeks, versus just two in December, taking its tally to more than 18,000 since the outbreak began in 2020, with 216 deaths, figures that are much lower than those seen in other major cities around the world. The city could see 28,000 new cases a day by the end of March, with its tally of deaths rising to 1,000 by June, health experts from the University of Hong Kong said this week. The experts modelled scenarios that they said indicated Hong Kong could only return to a "zero-covid" state if the entire city was locked down for two to three months. The government declined to comment directly on speculation of a lockdown, reiterating that people needed to take all measures to contain the virus and limit social activities. They have responded to the latest surge with the toughest suppression measures yet, despite an increasing social and economic toll on the city's 7.5 million residents. Public gatherings of more than two people are banned from Thursday while gatherings in homes have also been restricted. The rules add to already strict measures that have forced restaurants to close from 6. p.m. and shut most churches to schools, gyms and cinemas. Also read | 'Beyond tragic': WHO reports 130 million cases and 500,000 deaths linked to Omicron About 200,000 people in the Discovery Bay residential area, where many foreigners live, have been ordered to get tested after the government said it detected coronavirus in sewage. Typically, people are mandated to test if they have been in an area where infections are detected, and tens of thousands have thronged testing centres across the city in recent days with queues stretching hundreds of metres. Ching Tang, a 50-year old resident waiting to get vaccinated, said the pandemic has greatly affected many aspects of life. "Some older people don't even dare to go out. They stockpile food for many days. Everyone is worried...I hope the government can do better."

Hong Kong Covid infections surge, experts warn of 30,000 cases a day

Covid-19 has now entered Hong Kong supply chains affecting the availability of essential products and food items. As more and more truck drivers are testing positive for the virus the transport and delivery services have halted, here's our report.

Hong Kong imposes strict Covid curbs as virus outbreak affects supply chains

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