Experts urge people to keep guard up as COVID-19 lingers in Hong Kong

Public health experts in Hong Kong called for continued efforts to fight the COVID-19 epidemic and urged people not to let their guard down as new cases continued to be reported amid a relaxing of social distancing measures.

Hong Kong's Center for Health Protection said Monday there were 11 new confirmed cases, including four local infections.

During the just-finished four-day holiday, public places from restaurants to bars were packed by people as the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government loosened restrictions over entertainment venues due to an abating epidemic situation.

Ko Wing-man, former secretary for food and health of the HKSAR government, said people should stay alert as the anti-epidemic work will become more difficult in winter if COVID-19 lingers and the seasonal flu also starts to spread in Hong Kong.

David Hui, a respiratory medicine expert at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, warned of a fourth wave of the epidemic as more people have started to participate in social activities.

The government should step up supervision over gray zones, such as some bars, to contain a potential rebound in new infections, said Leung Chi-chiu, chairman of the Hong Kong Medical Association's Advisory Committee on Communicable Diseases.

The number of infections in Hong Kong has accumulated to 5,124 and there are 117 patients still being hospitalized, with 11 in critical condition.