‘HK’s Covid situation severe and complicated’

A senior health official from the mainland on Tuesday described Hong Kong’s Covid-19 situation as “severe and complicated”, but said he believes the city can win the fight against the Omicron outbreak with the support of the central government.

The head of the National Health Commission’s Covid-19 leading task force, Liang Wannian, is currently in Hong Kong with a delegation of health experts from the mainland.

Speaking after a meeting with SAR officials and medical experts, Liang said the current pandemic situation is a big challenge to the city’s medical system.

He said the two sides discussed how to better integrate and analyse relevant information about the outbreak, and looked at ways to improve the coordination of different prevention and control systems.

He said he is confident that Hong Kong can overcome the outbreak as long as people here remain united.

In a statement, Health Secretary Sophia Chan said she is very grateful for the advice given by Liang and his team.

“In the coming few days, we will continue to explore strategies and measures to put the fifth wave of the epidemic situation under control based on the initial recommendations suggested by the experts,” she said.