🌊Earthquakes and Covid waves
🌊Earthquakes and Covid waves
HK & China: Both facing the highest of covid tides
Good morning,
If COVID statistics are correct, there should be a bunch of you readers in home quarantine awaiting entrance to a community isolation facility. And probably despite the super clear, non-verbose instructions from the gov, there must be at least one of you still confused.
I forced the unpaid intern to make a flowchart. I like flowcharts.
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~ Cyril
On Today’s Tide:
SO ABOUT THAT EARTHQUAKE
COVID in HK
New day, new isolation facility
QE becomes a COVID hospital (wait, dejavu)
COVID in China
Lockdown in Shenzhen: citizens blame HK outbreak
Shanghai, Jilin, Changchun on dynamic lockdowns
Events
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Yes, the earthquake
The HKO received around 8000 calls from citizens who reported tremors from a mild shaking to mildly moving furniture. Details were first released by China Earthquake Networks Centre which measured it at ML3.5 (Richter); reports later in HK put it at ML4.1
I’m proud to say that we somehow managed to get the message out before HKO (because I stay awake till ungodly times and no respect for my health).
At time of writing, there doesn’t seem to be any aftershocks or tsunamis (the highest of tides) coming. Stay safe!
COVID in HK
Coronavirus in Hong Kong
New cases: 32,427
Total cases: 706,877
New deaths: 264 (74 backlog)
Total deaths: 3,993
Fanlincility (TM)
A new 1000 bed isolation centre has opened in Fanling. The entire project was completed in an impressive 17 days. Similar to other centres, rooms have max 3 pax; toilets are shared.
Fanling will be the first site with automated check-in, which CS John Lee hopes will simplify the admission process and make the whole experience better for patients.
New residents will scan a QR code on their room door. After filling in personal details, they will also be able to pick dietary requirements - food has been a major source of complaints.
🚨ALERT🚨QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL BECOMES COVID ONLY
Somehow I think we had this a few days ago. Must’ve been confused, it wouldn’t be on the Press Releases if it were old news.
Jokes aside, additional details have been released - there will still be a small number of beds at QE for serious non-COVID emergencies. Patients at QE who are unable to be transferred will also continue to stay till they have recovered.
COVID in China
The Mainland is seeing its highest number of cases - 1500 on Saturday - since the first wave of the pandemic. There are multiple epicentres across the whole of China, which has caused lockdowns in multiple places.
Shenzhen on lockdown
Our sister city up north has caught COVID from a close contact - us. Shenzhen saw 66 cases yesterday, prompting the government to enact a full citywide lockdown.
Mainland officials are worried that without a decisive lockdown now, Shenzhen’s Omicron cases could spiral out of control like it has in Hong Kong. Understandable - China’s elderly vax rates are similarly low. In Dec 2021, only 50% of 70+ citizens had been vaccinated.
The lockdown in Shenzhen is set to last until 20 Mar; residents will be tested 3x over the next week.
During this period, all public transport is halted. Only bare essentials will continue to operate including amenities companies, supermarkets, pharmacies, medical facilities and restaurants serving only takeout. Everyone else has to work from home.
Shanghai on lockdown
In contrast to Shenzhen, Shanghai hasn’t gone into a full lockdown. Instead, residential complexes go into sudden two day lockdowns. Businesses are asked to shut if they have close contacts.
Shanghai Disneyland has not been asked to close, but will be greatly reducing visitor count. Last year, when a positive case was found in Shanghai, the park locked down and tested all 34,000 visitors who were currently in the park. They all tested negative.
Changchun, Jilin lockdowns
Several cities in Jilin province, north east China, have become epicentres of the pandemic. Political instability - the heads of Changchun city and Jilin city have been replaced as a result of growing COVID numbers. In Changchun City, residents are not allowed to leave their residential compounds without an essential reason.
Events and deals
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A virtual St. Patrick’s Day celebration
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Hong Kong with a special upcoming virtual event hosted by the Irish Consulate General next week, with notable guest appearances from Olympic medalist Siobhan Haughey and singer-songwriter Serrini.
When: 17th March, 6:30 p.m.
Details: Sign up for the virtual St. Patrick’s event here
Hong Kong Arts Festival
Watch live-streamed operas and concerts, and even some one-on-one interactive live theatre! Make sure to register in advance – each show has its own attendance policy.
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