COVID-19 infection trend worrying

October 8, 2020

Director of Health Dr Constance Chan: 

In the past two weeks, the number of local cases has increased.

In the last week, that is from September 25 to October 1, there were eight local cases, and in the past seven days, that is from (October) 2 to 8, there were a total of 35. 

And in terms of cases with unknown sources, they have increased from three to 12 in the last week. 

And in the last week, there were a total of 12 cases with unknown sources. So the trend and the numbers are indeed very worrying. 
And we have also received a report from Hong Kong University that the Rt (effective reproductive number) has increased from below one to reaching one now. And also recent cases’ Ct (cycle threshold) value is very low indicating a very high viral load. These are all very bad signs for a rebound. 

The third wave actually has never ended. We have always been seeing a lingering number of cases, and with the recent rebound that is why I would appeal to our community to work together.

After all, science tells us COVID-19 is spread by droplets through person-to-person spread. So with the adoption of measures like wearing a mask, adopting proper hand hygiene and always observing social distancing, these would greatly reduce the opportunity or the risk of contracting the disease. 

So that is why we have to come out and inform our community that we are seeing a rebound of cases. So please, we must all remain very, very vigilant.

On the point of staycation (and) whether it falls within the definition or the remit of Cap 559, the law enforcement departments are looking into the issue. 

But I must stress in places - whether public or private - it is important and more useful for each and every one of us individually to observe personal hygiene, wear a mask, (maintain) social distance and (adopt) proper hand sanitation, hand hygiene. 

Because after all, any law enforcement agency cannot every minute go into a place - whether a public or private place - to watch over whether people are behaving in a way that is conducive to the transmission of the disease. 

So I would really, really appeal to the community that, if each and every one of us can observe the basic rules which I mentioned, this would greatly help Hong Kong to fight COVID-19 together.

(To watch the full press briefing with sign language interpretation, click here.)

Director of Health Dr Constance Chan today said the increasing trend in the number of local COVID-19 cases with an unknown source of infection is worrying.

Dr Chan at a press briefing this afternoon said the number of local cases has increased over the past two weeks.

From September 25 to October 1, there were eight local cases, while a total of 35 cases were recorded from October 2 to 8.

During the two periods, cases with an unknown source of infection increased from three to 12.

“And in the last week, there were a total of 12 cases with unknown sources. So the trend and the numbers are indeed very worrying.”

Dr Chan added that a report from Hong Kong University showed that the Rt (effective reproductive number) has increased from below one to almost one, while the Ct (cycle threshold) value of recent cases was low indicating a high viral load.

“These are all very bad signs for a rebound.

“The third wave actually has never ended. We have always been seeing a lingering number of cases, and with the recent rebound that is why I would appeal to our community to work together.”

Noting that many people have taken staycations at hotels and even hosted parties in hotel rooms recently, Dr Chan said the Department of Health and the Tourism Commission will meet hotel sector representatives to remind them to strictly enforce social distancing guidelines.

“On the point of staycation and whether it falls within the definition or the remit of Cap 559, the law enforcement departments are looking into the issue.

“But I must stress in places - whether public or private - it is important and more useful for each and every one of us individually to observe personal hygiene, wear a mask, maintain social distance and adopt proper hand sanitation, hand hygiene.

“Because after all, any law enforcement agency cannot every minute go into a place - whether a public or private place - to watch over whether people are behaving in a way that is conducive to the transmission of the disease.”

Dr Chan urged members of the public to remain vigilant and adopt anti-epidemic measures.