Expert warns of significant rebound after Father’s Day

Government medical adviser David Hui Shu-cheong has expressed concern that public gatherings during Father’s Day on Sunday will cause a significant rebound in Covid infections.

Speaking on a radio program on Monday, the health expert said the risk of Covid transmission within the city is higher with families gathered during Father’s Day.

However, Hui said if most cases were mild cases of Covid-19, with the number of severe cases and fatalities contained at a low level, the city’s healthcare system will be able to handle the surge in infections.

He also noted that businesses will be able to revive with more people heading out for gatherings.

Meanwhile, the Chinese University professor said the current epidemic situation in Hong Kong is similar to that in Singapore, with both places emphasizing on pushing further up the vaccination rate to create a “protection barrier”.

“There were an average of around 3,000 Covid cases daily [in Singapore], but they kept the number of severe cases and death cases low…it is expected Hong Kong will also have a daily Covid caseload between 1,000 to 2,000,” said Hui.

When asked if the city’s current Covid curbs could be relaxed further, Hui said any possible easing in the coming days will be dealt with by the new administration.

He said the SAR government will have to seek clarification from health authorities on the mainland on whether Hong Kong must achieve dynamic "zero infection" before the borders are to be reopened.

Read more: Restaurants fill with citizens celebrating Father's Day despite Covid rebound