Adjust ‘dynamic zero’ policy but stick to it: expert

A senior mainland health official, Liang Wannian, said on Tuesday that Hong Kong should make it its top priority to bring down the number of Covid-19 infections, severe cases and deaths.

In an interview with Xinhua news agency published on Monday night, Liang said the surge in cases in Hong Kong had put enormous pressure on Hong Kong’s medical resources.

The expert from the National Health Commission is leading a mainland medical team who arrived in the SAR to help it fight the epidemic.

He said Hong Kong must stick to its “dynamic zero infection” goal – a target he said can be achieved in phases.

“Reducing infection, severe cases and deaths is Hong Kong’s most urgent and top-priority target at the current stage. After we achieve the first target, we will then move on to the second and third goals,” Liang said.

He urged the SAR to set up a system to assess which patients will get severely ill easily, so there can be timely intervention.

Liang said the city should also leverage the mainland’s experience and assign top-level doctors to treat severe Covid patients at designated hospitals.

On the planned citywide Covid testing, the mainland expert said Hong Kong needs to grasp the right timing and details have to be carefully arranged.

He said officials have to consider various factors, including how to manage patients and their close contacts.