The Unprecedented Omicron Surge in Hong Kong: A More Natural or More Man-Induced Tragedy?

COVID-19 infection control in Hong Kong was effective through strict antipandemic measures in the first four waves beginning in 2020, although it hurt not only physiological and psychological health but also social and economic activities. However, there was an uncontrollable boom in local Omicron c...

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Main Author: Fung Kei Cheng
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Athens Institute for Education and Research 2024-06-01
Series:Athens Journal of Health and Medical Sciences
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Online Access:https://www.athensjournals.gr/health/2024-11-2-3-Cheng.pdf
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author Fung Kei Cheng
author_facet Fung Kei Cheng
author_sort Fung Kei Cheng
collection DOAJ
description COVID-19 infection control in Hong Kong was effective through strict antipandemic measures in the first four waves beginning in 2020, although it hurt not only physiological and psychological health but also social and economic activities. However, there was an uncontrollable boom in local Omicron cases and deaths from late January 2022, particularly among the senior population. Epidemiologists bemoaned the low vaccination rate among older adults which attributed to the rapid contagion. This analysis looks into a nexus of causes, and discusses the roles of manpower, medical resources, management, healthcare policies, and the balance between anti-pandemic tactics and individual health. Fundamentally, trust in the government is indispensable to success in combating public health disasters. Medical veterans urge a comprehensive inquiry in order to improve the healthcare system and hence cope with future infectious diseases, which authorities should respond to positively and promptly.
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spelling doaj-art-ce5ea8285bfe453995f73b3d2330c7572025-08-20T02:50:49ZengAthens Institute for Education and ResearchAthens Journal of Health and Medical Sciences2653-94112024-06-011129110610.30958/ajhms.11-2-3The Unprecedented Omicron Surge in Hong Kong: A More Natural or More Man-Induced Tragedy? Fung Kei Cheng0Independent Researcher, Hong KongCOVID-19 infection control in Hong Kong was effective through strict antipandemic measures in the first four waves beginning in 2020, although it hurt not only physiological and psychological health but also social and economic activities. However, there was an uncontrollable boom in local Omicron cases and deaths from late January 2022, particularly among the senior population. Epidemiologists bemoaned the low vaccination rate among older adults which attributed to the rapid contagion. This analysis looks into a nexus of causes, and discusses the roles of manpower, medical resources, management, healthcare policies, and the balance between anti-pandemic tactics and individual health. Fundamentally, trust in the government is indispensable to success in combating public health disasters. Medical veterans urge a comprehensive inquiry in order to improve the healthcare system and hence cope with future infectious diseases, which authorities should respond to positively and promptly. https://www.athensjournals.gr/health/2024-11-2-3-Cheng.pdfepidemiologyinfectious diseasenovel coronaviruspandemicpublic healthsars-cov-2
spellingShingle Fung Kei Cheng
The Unprecedented Omicron Surge in Hong Kong: A More Natural or More Man-Induced Tragedy?
Athens Journal of Health and Medical Sciences
epidemiology
infectious disease
novel coronavirus
pandemic
public health
sars-cov-2
title The Unprecedented Omicron Surge in Hong Kong: A More Natural or More Man-Induced Tragedy?
title_full The Unprecedented Omicron Surge in Hong Kong: A More Natural or More Man-Induced Tragedy?
title_fullStr The Unprecedented Omicron Surge in Hong Kong: A More Natural or More Man-Induced Tragedy?
title_full_unstemmed The Unprecedented Omicron Surge in Hong Kong: A More Natural or More Man-Induced Tragedy?
title_short The Unprecedented Omicron Surge in Hong Kong: A More Natural or More Man-Induced Tragedy?
title_sort unprecedented omicron surge in hong kong a more natural or more man induced tragedy
topic epidemiology
infectious disease
novel coronavirus
pandemic
public health
sars-cov-2
url https://www.athensjournals.gr/health/2024-11-2-3-Cheng.pdf
work_keys_str_mv AT fungkeicheng theunprecedentedomicronsurgeinhongkongamorenaturalormoremaninducedtragedy
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