(Corrects the death figure in paragraphs 4-24 after Hospital Authority issues clarification.

Clare Jim and Farah Master

HONG KONG (Reuters] -The coronavirus fight in Hong Kong intensified as officials reported new cases of the disease had increased by 60 percent so far this year. The media also reported that all financial centers around the world would have to be tested starting March.

In shocking scenes, hospitals are overcrowded with elderly patients.

All schools, libraries, cinemas, public buildings, and other places of worship are currently closed. Office workers are increasingly working remotely. Many residents feel tired from the strict restrictions that were imposed in order to prevent the pandemic. However, most major cities around the globe are adapting to the fact that they have to live with it.

The record number of confirmed cases reported by health officials on Thursday was 6,116, up from 4,285 yesterday. Additionally, there were 6,300 preliminary positive cases. The total number of confirmed cases since January now stands at more than 16,600. The team reported 24 additional deaths.

Although the jump in cases represents the greatest test yet for the “dynamic zero COVID” policy of the city, Carrie Lam stated this week that she “cannot give up on the virus.”

According to media reports, the government plans to conduct tests on up to one million individuals each day beginning March. Those not complying would face a fine in the range of HK$10,000 ($1,282).

A request for comments was not received by the government.

According to Chui Tak-yi, Undersecretary of Food and Health Chui Takyi said to reporters that “because of the serious number of cases” he needed to accelerate admissions to hospitals and community isolation centers. The government is working to alleviate all of these bottlenecks.

Authorities said that Quarantine facilities were at capacity, and hospitals beds were over 90% full. Lam stated late Wednesday night that she has spoken with local hotel owners to discuss making up to 10,000 rooms for COVID-19 patients.

RETAILERS BATTERED

Lam spoke out after Xi Jinping (Chinese President) told Hong Kong leaders their “overriding task” was stabilizing and controlling the coronavirus.

Lam received several health professionals from mainland China who had arrived in Shenzhen later, and stated that the city would increase its testing capabilities.

Lam stated to reporters that he is considering a city-wide plan for virus testing.

Retail traffic has dropped 40% since December due to tighter regulations and an increase in criminal cases. The Retail Management Association (HKRMA), however, stated that this was because of the stricter rules.

Annie Tse (chairwoman of HKRMA) stated that if the pandemic continues to get worse, and if rents remain at their current levels, we won’t survive. It’s almost been three years since protests and COVID. How much more money can we burn?” She spoke in reference to 2019 anti-government demonstrations.

It represents approximately 9,000 shops and more than half the workforce in the area. The group urged government officials to make developers provide rent relief and to include this sector in an anti-epidemic funds.

HKRMA predicts flat growth year-on–year in retail sales during January-June. If the current situation holds, growth will easily drop into negative territory for the second half.

Hong Kong adopted the same “dynamic zero” coronavirus strategy as mainland China in order to control all epidemics.

However, authorities are overwhelmed by the speed and scale of Omicron’s highly contagious virus. Many people are waiting in long queues outside of testing centres as hospitals operate at their maximum capacity.

Officials stated that they were unable to keep up with their isolation and testing mandates. This led to a backlog which could not keep up with daily infections.

China said that it will help Hong Kong improve its treatment, quarantine, testing and management capabilities, as well as secure funds from quick antigen kits, protective gear for fresh vegetables, and other resources.

Since the outbreak of the pandemic in Hong Kong, there have been approximately 35,000 cases and over 250 deaths. This is far less than the number recorded for similar cities.

Medical experts warn that the number of daily cases could rise to 28,000 per day by March’s end due to high rates of vaccination hesitancy in the elderly.

($1 = 7.8006 Hong Kong dollars)