HONG KONG — University researchers forecasted that Hong Kong could peak at 180,000 daily new infections by mid-March. Health experts noted that infections were rising exponentially. Testing backlog makes it difficult to fully assess the gravity of the situation.
Researchers at the University of Hong Kong reported that without stricter restrictions, such as city-wide lockdowns, it will be difficult to curb the surge. The Hong Kong government has adopted China’s “dynamic zero COVID” strategy to eliminate possibilities of an outbreak.
Hong Kong also continues to enforce stringent rules to curb the pandemic. They have strict flight restrictions, event and gathering guidelines, and work from home policies.
The Philippine government extends aid to migrant workers who tested positive for COVID-19. Cabinet Secretary Karlos Nograles said that the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Hong Kong provided 28 OFWs with food, hygiene kits, and power banks.
Some COVID stricken workers had been fired by their employers, leaving them with no choice but to sleep outdoors. To resolve this, POLO is working with non government facilities in Hong Kong to provide proper isolation facilities for OFWs.
To protect Filipino migrant workers, Consul General Raly Tejada said that employers who fired Filipino workers who contracted COVID will be “blacklisted.”