Hong Kong one of the examples of successful corona prevention: Maintaining initial success

(Patria) – The Chinese autonomous province of Hong Kong records 157 cases of coronavirus infection and 4 deaths – a small number considering its proximity and connection to mainland China.

Hong Kong can attribute the significantly more favorable situation than in China to the strict prevention measures taken immediately after the outbreak, and their equally strict adherence.

Hong Kong is considered one of the parts of the world with the most successful preventive campaign against corona. However, at this stage, it is crucial to maintain good results.

The Hong Kong authorities will therefore further tighten measures, and everyone arriving in the city from Thursday will immediately be sent to a two-week quarantine to prevent the spread of the disease.

This autonomous Chinese province detected its first case back in January, but thanks to rigorous social distancing measures and a strong community response, it avoided an outbreak like in mainland China or other parts of the world.  

However, Hong Kong is now facing the threat of imported virus cases from visitors, as well as from the local population that still travels abroad, which could jeopardize the efforts made so far.

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam warned that 'if strict measures are not adopted, all prevention efforts from the past two months will be in vain,' emphasizing that 50 of the recent 57 infection cases came from abroad.

Three blocks of residential buildings were previously designated for quarantine, for high-risk cases. Milder cases remain in home isolation under supervision with an electronic bracelet, occasional phone calls, and other measures.

Hong Kong dealt with MERS in a similar way in 2003, when the systemic community response again played a significant role.

Dispensers for hand sanitizer and temperature measurement points have been set up throughout shopping malls and office buildings.

Door handles, elevators, and other surfaces exposed to crowds are disinfected several times a day. Most residents wear masks and avoid large gatherings. For more than a month, streets and public places have been largely deserted as most people work from home.

Although successful in terms of virus containment, such measures have negatively impacted the economy, which is facing its biggest recession in ten years, with tourism and trade barely surviving.