Hong Kong Health Authorities: COVID-19 Has Become Endemic

CNA reporter Zhang Qian, Hong Kong, June 2. Hong Kong health authorities stated today that COVID-19, which first emerged in early 2020, has become a local endemic disease. They reminded citizens to receive timely vaccinations based on expert advice, individual risk, and the time elapsed since their last dose to reduce the risk of severe illness and death. The Centre for Health Protection stated that COVID-19 has become endemic in Hong Kong, and its activity levels will fluctuate. Citizens should follow expert advice to receive initial or booster doses to lower risks. Controller of the Centre for Health Protection, Tsui Lok-kin, said it has been nearly a year since the last active cycle, and they do not rule out a rise in overall activity levels. Since the outbreak in early 2020, Hong Kong experienced five waves of the pandemic by the end of 2022, resulting in over 10,000 deaths. The fifth wave was the most severe, with the vast majority of victims being elderly or unvaccinated individuals.