Hong Kong reports more than 6,000 new cases in virus surge
Patients lie on hospital beds as they wait at a temporary makeshift treatment area outside Caritas Medical Centre in Hong Kong, Friday, Feb. 18, 2022. Hong Kong's hospitals reached 90% capacity on Thursday and quarantine facilities were at their limit, authorities said, as the city struggles to snuff out a record number of new COVID-19 cases by adhering to China's "zero tolerance" strategy. Credit: AP Photo/Kin Cheung
Hong Kong has reported 15 coronavirus deaths and more than 6,000 confirmed cases for a second day in its latest infection surge.
The government on Saturday also announced plans to ease crowding in hospitals by building isolation units for 10,000 patients.
There were 6,063 confirmed cases in the previous 24 hours, raising the Chinese territory's total to 46,763. That was down slightly from Thursday's 6,116 but one of Hong Kong's highest daily totals.
Hong Kong has tightened travel and business curbs as it tries to contain its latest virus surge. On Friday, Chief Executive Carrie Lam said the election for her post would be postponed by six weeks to May 8 due to public health risks.
Also Saturday, Lam's government announced construction teams from mainland China would build isolation and treatment units in the Penny's Bay and Kai Tak districts.
Michael Leung, Chairman of the Association for Hong Kong Catering Services Management, adjusts the tablecloth before an interview at the closed Lucky Dragon Palace Restaurant in Hong Kong, Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022. Despite the strict adherence to a zero-COVID strategy, restrictions in Hong Kong that have already stilled the once bustling city, now many fear the worst is yet to come, with Hong Kong experiencing its worst outbreak yet. Credit: AP Photo/Vincent Yu
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Hong Kong reports more than 6,000 new cases in virus surge (2022, February 20)
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![Hong Kong reports more than 6,000 new cases in virus surge](https://scx1.b-cdn.net/csz/news/800a/2022/hong-kong-reports-more.jpg "Patients lie on hospital beds as they wait at a temporary makeshift treatment area outside Caritas Medical Centre in Hong Kong, Friday, Feb. 18, 2022. Hong Kong's hospitals reached 90% capacity on Thursday and quarantine facilities were at their limit, authorities said, as the city struggles to snuff out a record number of new COVID-19 cases by adhering to China's "zero tolerance" strategy. Credit: AP Photo/Kin Cheung")
