Hong Kong literally overwhelmed by the Omicron variant of Covid, to the point of reaching the coffins emergency. The victims are numerous, the morgues are full and the authorities are resorting to refrigerated containers. Now the emergency is the shortage of coffins, the supplies of which will run out over the weekend.
In less than three months - a long time since Omicron's arrival - Hong Kong has registered nearly a million infections and over 4,600 deaths, mostly unvaccinated elderly. Now, in the absence of coffins, it will be Beijing to help, as stated today by the governor Carrie Lam, ensuring that two shipments of coffins will soon arrive from the Cona.
"Last night I learned from the Food and Health Bureau that preparations are underway to transport the coffins by water," Lam said at a news conference, adding that government officials are working to help affected families. by mourning in the completion of procedures, including that of recovering bodies already transported to public morgues without a doctor issuing a death certificate.
"We will try to find a way to organize the funeral soon. The crematoria also worked day and night at full capacity," he added.
Researchers from the former British colony estimate that the toll of infections is much higher than official figures, so much so that it has probably reached half of its 7.4 million inhabitants.
Lam is under accusation for managing the crisis, the surge in deaths, but also for the unclear messages on the lockdown and mass tests, still postponed.
The response to the outbreak of the pandemic is considered late, especially when compared to that of nearby Shenzen, in lockdown with all its 17.5 million residents.
Lam also announced the closure of the beaches after photos of unmasked residents in the sun surfaced, becoming the online target of Shenzhen citizens' anger. "As we see a wave of people going to the beach, we need to take appropriate steps to curtail public movement to ensure safety," the governor said.
(Unioneonline / L)
