Hospital Burden Breaks 100 Percent, President Xi Jinping Asks Hong Kong Authorities To Stabilize And Control COVID-19

President China Xi Jinping. (Wikimedia Commons/Palácio do Planalto)

JAKARTA - Chinese President Xi Jinping has told the Hong Kong Government to stabilize and control the COVID-19 outbreak as soon as possible, pro-Beijing media say.

The directive increases pressure on authorities to take the necessary steps to offset the recent spike in COVID-19 infections in Hong Kong.

President Xi instructed Chinese Vice Premier Han Zheng to convey to Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam his "concern about the pandemic situation" and his concern for the local population, according to front-page reports in the Wen Wei Po and Ta Kung Pao newspapers, cited from Reuters, February 16.

Both media outlets, which usually support Beijing's interests in Hong Kong, said President Xi made the remarks recently but did not specify where he spoke.

President Xi said the government "should mobilize all forces and resources to take all necessary measures, to ensure the safety and health of the Hong Kong people, ensure the stability of society in Hong Kong," according to the newspaper.

The news comes a day after Carrie Lam said her government's response to the Omicron outbreak was unsatisfactory, with hospitals and medical staff overwhelmed.

Lam, who has yet to confirm whether she will run again for a five-year term as head of the Chinese-ruled city, said she "couldn't preclude" the possibility of postponing the chief executive election next month.

No heavyweight contenders have yet declared their candidacy, a highly unusual situation considering it is only five weeks before elections are held.

COVID-19 infections have surged 20 times daily since early February, with Lam saying authorities can no longer follow coronavirus testing and isolation mandates.

Dozens of patients were treated in emergency open air spaces outside the medical center on Tuesday, as some hospitals were operating at more than 100 percent capacity.

Health authorities reported 1.619 confirmed infections on Tuesday, a daily record, and another 5.400 initial positive cases.

In total, Hong Kong has recorded about 26.000 infections since the start of the pandemic, including more than 200 deaths, far fewer than its other major cities equivalent.

However, medical experts have warned cases could jump to 28.000 daily by the end of March, amid concerns about a high level of vaccine doubt among parents.