Following the Lunar New Year holiday, the number of daily visits to public hospital emergency rooms in Hong Kong has surged, reaching approximately 5,500 cases per day. The daily admissions to internal medicine wards remain at around 1,100, with bed occupancy rates consistently exceeding 100%.

According to the latest data from the Centre for Health Protection (CHP), as of Feb. 5, a total of 231 adult cases of laboratory-confirmed severe influenza requiring intensive care or resulting in death have been recorded since the start of the flu season in week two. Among these cases, 137 deaths have been reported.

The fatalities include 123 individuals aged 65 or older, 10 individuals aged 50 to 64, and 4 individuals aged 18 to 49.

Lau Yu-lung, Chairperson of the Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases, noted that the number of severe and fatal influenza cases in week five was higher than in previous weeks, with most cases involving young children and the elderly.

CHP Director Dr. Edwin Tsui stated on Feb. 5 that the flu cases in HK are currently on the rise, and the peak of the flu season is expected to last for three to four months.

Due to the strong winter monsoon, HK has experienced a significant drop in temperatures in recent days. The cold weather, coupled with the flu peak, has led to a noticeable increase in patient numbers.

Five children suffer severe complications, four unvaccinated

Five cases of severe influenza-related complications in children were reported, involving infections with influenza A (H1 and H3) viruses. These complications included severe pneumonia, sepsis, encephalitis, and shock. The children, aged between 10 months and 12 years, included four who had not received the seasonal flu vaccine.

Last week, five institutional flu outbreaks were reported in schools or care homes, affecting 19 individuals, a decline from 28 outbreaks the previous week. However, in the first four days of this week, the number of outbreaks rose to eight, impacting 34 individuals.

The Hospital Authority (HA) expects an increase in flu cases among schoolchildren following the end of the school holidays next week. Parents are urged to vaccinate their children as soon as possible.

Lee Lap-yip, Chief Manager of the HA, said that the number of pediatric flu cases might rise due to the resumption of classes. The HA has implemented contingency plans to ensure sufficient resources in pediatric wards to meet potential demand.

Only 30% of population in HK vaccinated

Yeung Chiu-fat, Vice President of the Hong Kong Chinese Medical Association, expressed concern over the low vaccination rate. Only about 2 million people in HK, roughly 30% of the population, have been vaccinated, far from the 70% threshold required for "community immunity."

Yeung emphasized that it typically takes one to two weeks for antibodies to develop after vaccination. He urged the public to get vaccinated immediately, especially in these critical times, better late than never.

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