Although the third wave of COVID-19 infections is showing signs of receding, with the number of confirmed cases declining from more than 100 to dozens, the combat against the pandemic still has a long way to go.
The COVID-19 pandemic is still raging. When Wang Chen, president of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, was speaking at the 22nd Annual Meeting of the China Association for Science and Technology on Aug 14, he mentioned that the pandemic was far from over. There were still uncertainties and unknowns surrounding the traits of the coronavirus. A lack of information would lead to the inability to make accurate judgment on the development of the pandemic, and it will be too early to discuss what stage we are currently in.
Besides, the novel coronavirus has mutated. The Ministry of Health of Malaysia reported four cases of D614G variant in Kedah and Johor on Aug 16, which could spread 10 times faster than the common coronavirus. Some virologists claim that this viral strain has a higher viral load and is more contagious. Although there is no evidence suggesting the variant is more deadly, the mutation has brought new challenges to combating the pandemic.
Finally, a young male in Hong Kong was reported to have caught COVID-19 twice in a row. He contracted the disease in March this year and was discharged from hospital in April, only to test positive again less than four months later. This case contradicts the previous belief that patients should have one-year immunity against the virus after their recovery.
The governance in the HKSAR should start from, and end up with, serving the people of Hong Kong. There is no better time for the SAR government to take swift action to reform and improve the public health system in Hong Kong
However, we need not be overcautious. Although the special administrative region government constantly appeals to the public to strictly abide by the social distancing restrictions and avoid outdoor activities as much as possible, crowds seem to appear in many public places. On the one hand, people seem to grow weary of battling the pandemic, while many are overwhelmed by the severe social distancing restrictions and deteriorating economic conditions. Not long ago, a survey released by the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Hong Kong showed that more than 70 percent of respondents showed symptoms of moderate-to-severe depression. Just over 40 percent displayed moderate-to-high levels of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms such as intrusive memories and persistent feelings of fear, anger, guilt or shame. Among them, 55 percent of the symptoms were “stress reactions” such as transient insomnia and loss of appetite; young people aged 24 or below suffered more severe symptoms of depression and post-traumatic stress than those aged above 25.
Hong Kong has primarily relied on residents to abide by social distancing restrictions to contain the pandemic. This is not enough to deal with the prolonged and normalized pandemic, let alone to prevent infection from the mutated virus. Hong Kong must establish a mechanism to combat the pandemic in the long run, otherwise the city cannot relax its social distancing restrictions and restore personnel and economic exchanges. Should that happen, the economic recession may sink into depression, and the consequent negative public sentiment may lead to social disruption.
The SAR government and all sectors of the Hong Kong community must fully acknowledge the defects in Hong Kong’s public health system. At present, the public health system is composed of the Food and Health Bureau, the Department of Health and the Hospital Authority. The FHB is responsible for making policy, while the DH and the HA are responsible for implementing policy and the operation of the public health system. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the fundamental problem in Hong Kong’s public health system was the shortage of public medical services. In the face of the health crisis, however, the system has been exposed as being deficient in detecting the virus, and tracking and blocking the transmission chain.
The government will offer free universal voluntary COVID-19 testing to all residents who want to be screened for the virus. Even if a high percentage of Hong Kong residents participate in the plan and screen for the virus, the results will fall short of being sufficient reference for preventing a rebound of the pandemic, because a small number of carriers who refuse to be tested will be like fish that have slipped through the net. However few these unidentified carriers may be, they are the ticking bomb that could cause a rebound in the number of cases.
Without big data on COVID-19 infections, it will be impossible for the SAR government to implement a “health code” system in Hong Kong. Without such a system, people in Hong Kong will not be able to resume normal exchanges with those on the Chinese mainland and in Macao. Not only will it damage the Hong Kong economy, it will also affect many families and possibly harm their mental well-being. The 14-day quarantine requirement for all visitors from Hong Kong has prevented many Hong Kong residents from reuniting with their families on the mainland, as well as denying those from the mainland who plan to visit Hong Kong for the same reason.
Having a good governance in a modern society means serving the people. Even though Hong Kong has a capitalist system, the governance in the HKSAR should start from, and end up with, serving the people of Hong Kong. There is no better time for the SAR government to take swift action to reform and improve the public health system in Hong Kong. There is always a “window period” to implement an effective public health policy and patch up flaws in the system, but if the health authorities fail to act swiftly to make a difference during this time, we will miss the boat.
The author is a senior research fellow of China Everbright Holdings.
The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.
