President Xi Jinping has said he is highly concerned about the rising number of Covid-19 cases in Hong Kong, and has ordered the special administrative region’s government to get things back under control.
According to Hong Kong newspapers Ta Kung Pao and Wen Wei Po, Xi asked Vice Premier Han Zheng to convey his concern to Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, as well as his warm wishes to the people of Hong Kong.
The articles published today quoted Xi as saying that the HKSAR government must shoulder the main responsibility of reining in the outbreaks, mobilise all the manpower and resources it has at its disposal and introduce every necessary measure to ensure the safety and health of Hong Kong people and the stability of society.
The president also said the central government and other local authorities must give their full support and assistance to the HKSAR government.
The article quoted Han as saying that the central authorities and the Guangdong provincial government must respond to Hong Kong’s request for help.
This includes boosting Hong Kong’s testing capacity, building more Covid-19 isolation and treatment facilities, ensuring the supply of fresh food and other daily necessities, as well as sending over medical experts to give guidance.
The central government also decided to step up coordination of anti-epidemic work for Hong Kong, which will be led by the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office and the National Health Commission.
It will also involve relevant central authorities and experts, as well as the Guangdong and Hong Kong governments.
The newspapers quoted sources as saying that Guangdong had held a string of meetings over how to support Hong Kong and maintain a stable supply of resources to the HKSAR.
Meanwhile, according to RTHK government authorities are set to confirm 4,285 new Covid-19 cases in Hong Kong today, with more than 3,000 more preliminary positives.
The sources also said some 12,000 people who have already tested positive have not been admitted to hospital as of Tuesday.
As of Tuesday, Hong Kong’s Covid-19 tally stood at 26,670, including 224 fatalities, according to worldometers.info. Hong Kong has a population of 7.5 million. On Wednesday, an additional 4,285 new cases were confirmed, with 7,000 preliminary infections identified as 9 deaths marks new daily record, according to the South China Morning Post.
Macao’s Covid-19 tally has remained at 79 for months. No Covid-19 deaths have been reported in the city.
