Experts Call On Public To Join Free Testing Scheme

Top microbiologist Yuen Kwok-yung on Saturday said Hong Kong has paid a "heavy price" in suppressing the third wave of the Covid-19 outbreak, calling it a "bitter victory".

He and another expert, Professor David Hui from the Chinese University, who also advises the government on anti-epidemic responses, called on people to join the government's universal testing scheme if they are worried about having been infected.

Speaking on RTHK's Hong Kong Letter, Professor Yuen, from the University of Hong Kong said since the outbreak last month, the city has reported more than 3,000 cases, with around 70 deaths.

He said although the government tightened social distancing measures to suppress the outbreak, the city has paid a heavy price.

Professor Yuen predicts the epidemic will worsen again in the autumn and officials need to make sure control at the border is "water tight", because the third wave was caused by imported cases from South East Asian countries.

Professor Hui said the fact that local Covid-19 cases have remained at around 20 cases per day recently, suggest the government's social distancing measures are only partially effective.

He told Commercial Radio it also shows the coronavirus has already infiltrated different sectors of the community, noting that cases with an unknown source of infection still account for around 30 percent.

The respiratory disease expert said social distancing rules at restaurants could be further relaxed in one or two weeks time if there are no outbreaks linked to eateries.