Health authorities on Saturday said that it would be very unlikely for Hong Kong to achieve zero Covid infections again as the SAR reported 5,190 new infections.

Chuang Shuk-kwan from the Centre for Health Protection made the comment at a regular press briefing, when asked whether the disease has become endemic.

“I think whether it’s become endemic depends on the situation worldwide because Hong Kong is an open place,” she said.

“Right now we still have several thousand cases [a day], and it’d be rather unlikely for us to go back to zero. After all, the entire world has to be rid of infections for us to achieve that. It looks like Covid will stay with us,” said Chuang.

Hong Kong recorded 5,038 new local infections and 152 imported cases for the day.

Seven more patients with Covid have died. The patients were aged between 72 and 93.

At present, 2,114 patients are being treated in hospital. Among them 41 are in critical condition, 14 of whom are in intensive care.

The Centre for Health Protection said it would stop holding daily press briefings on the Covid situation and will issue press releases on new infection figures instead, but said officials would still meet the press if necessary.

When asked to share their feelings about the prolonged fight against the pandemic, Chuang said it’s inappropriate for her to talk about personal feelings on such an occasion, but thanked the public for working hard to rein in the virus.

She also wished people good health and a happy life.

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USEFUL LINKS
General Covid-19 situation: https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/
Covid-19 testing: https://www.communitytest.gov.hk/en/
Community testing notices: https://bit.ly/3ivX2Ce
Community Clinics for Covid-19 patients: https://bit.ly/3l5CkKv
RAT reporting platform: https://www.chp.gov.hk/ratp/
Vaccination programme: https://www.covidvaccine.gov.hk/sen/
Vaccination pass scheme: https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/vaccine-pass.html
Hotline for Covid-positive patients: 1836 115