Pandemic restrictions may be tightened amid surge in cases in Hong Kong

Hong Kong officials may plan to tighten COVID-19 restrictions in the city amid a recent surge of 6,000 new virus cases in 24 hours, The Associated Press reported. 

Hong Kong’s Health Secretary Sophia Chan confirmed during a radio appearance on Sunday urged people to stay home.

To ease pressure building on hospitals, construction crews from mainland China will help build isolation units for 10,000 residents in an effort to make hospital beds available and avoid overcrowding, according to the AP. 

Health officials reported 6,607 new virus infections within the past 24 hours, breaking a record total of 6,116 cases on Thursday. 

Hong Kong’s Environment Secretary Wong Kam-sing also said on Sunday he will quarantine from home after his driver tested positive for the virus. 

Wong initially tested negative for the virus but his driver had to go through additional testing, The AP reported. 

This comes as Hong Kong officials have implemented some of the strictest restrictions on travel, business, and public activity since the start of the global pandemic. 

Hong Kong executive Carrie Lam said the ongoing spread of the omicron variant is taking a toll on hospitals beds, as officials said on Thursday that 90 percent of hospitals beds were filled, the AP noted.