James Pomfret

HONG KONG (Reuters), a Hong Kong official said that one hamster was surrendered by its pet owners to be tested for COVID-19 and more than 2200 hamsters have been culled to try to stop the spread of the virus.

After tracing the coronavirus infection to a worker in a pet shop, officials demanded that hamsters be killed from as many as 68 shops.

A few hamsters were already positive for the virus. However, this case was the first to involve a pet-owner who had a positive test.

Authorities urged pet owners to keep their pets safe despite public protests against the crackdown on hamsters.

The government released a statement saying that it strongly advised the public to return hamsters bought in pet shops in the area on or after December 22nd, 2021. This will allow for the humane dispatch.

Carrie Lam of Hong Kong was earlier quoted as saying that although she sympathizes with pet owners who are upset by the slaughters, her main concern is to stop the spreading.

The government called the protest “irrational”.

Many people offer to rescue unwanted hamsters.

Scientists and veterinarians disagree on whether animals are involved in the transmission of coronavirus to humans.

Meanwhile officials warned that COVID-19-related infections may be increasing rapidly in Kwai Chung’s congested residential district on the Kowloon peninsula. On Saturday, the second building, which houses two thousand people, was placed under lockdown for five consecutive days.

Lam, who visited the area Sunday, ordered that more than 35,000 inhabitants in over 12 buildings take COVID-19 test.

Lam warned people to stay away from gatherings before next week’s Lunar New Year holidays in order to prevent the Omicron virus.

This situation puts Hong Kong’s strategy of eliminating COVID-19 to the test. Schools and gyms have been closed, and restaurants and hotels are closing at 6 pm (1000 GMT). Air travel has also been severely or completely disrupted.

Some companies are beginning to take contingency steps.

UBS Group AG (SIX) stated in a letter to Hong Kong employees that they had “decided not to continue to use the office for essential tasks” due to the Omicorn epidemic.

UBS spokespersons declined to comment.

Officials shut down Kwai Chung’s first building on Friday after receiving more than 20 reports linking it to criminal activity. Food was delivered outside three times per day, and testing began.