Experts Divided Over 'zero Infections' Target

Medical experts are divided over whether Hong Kong can achieve "zero infections" anytime soon, despite the number of new coronavirus cases slowly falling.

An epidemiologist from the University of Hong Kong, Professor Benjamin Cowling, said on Monday that the case numbers are decreasing by 20 percent each week.

He said there is public fatigue towards maintaining social distancing, but he hopes the daily number of new cases can drop to zero by Chinese New Year in mid-February.

"The question then is what happens at that point. We can keep the restrictions in place for longer to stay at zero for longer, or we can be at risk of resurgence by relaxing," Cowling said.

But HKU microbiologist, Dr Ho Pak-leung, was pessimistic. He estimated that the coronavirus situation will continue to fluctuate for some time, and that it is unlikely new infection figures will drop to zero before Chinese New Year.

A specialist in respiratory medicine, Dr Leung Chi-chiu, meanwhile, urged officials to step up enforcement of social distancing rules at places where people often gather.

He said authorities should also encourage the business sector to put in place crowd control measures at shopping malls during holidays.

Hong Kong reported 31 new Covid cases on Sunday, 28 of which were local transmissions.