Daily Covid case count meaningless, says health expert

It is no longer meaningful for health authorities to announce the daily Covid case count as Hong Kong keeps moving along the path to normalcy, said the head of Hong Kong University's Centre for Infection Ho Pak-leung.

Speaking on a radio program Tuesday morning, the microbiologist called on health authorities to disseminate crucial information at the daily press briefings instead of announcing the daily case count.

He said health officials could compile a weekly report of cases found in the overnight lockdown operations, or give an account of the city’s asymptomatic patients or those with mild symptoms.

Separately, Ho said health authorities should put their resources into good use and let expert advisors for the government attend the daily press brief, provide citizens with scientific data to help them understand the city’s Covid situation.

He also suggested authorities review the outcome of its sewage testing scheme and allocate more manpower to boosting the city’s vaccination rate when required.