Stay vigilant against COVID-19

February 15, 2021

Centre for Health Protection Controller Dr Ronald Lam:

Currently, we are seeing a slow drop in the number of (COVID-19) cases in the recent few days. The next step (we will take) would be affected by a number of factors, including, perhaps, during the Lunar New Year (when) many of the citizens (do) not seek medical consultation. So this may affect the trend of the epidemic after the Lunar New Year. 

Also, during the holidays, usually there will be some kinds of gatherings of families together, although we have appealed again and again (to people) to avoid that kind of mixing and gatherings.

Looking back at the past experiences of the past year - usually after long vacations and after these kinds of gatherings - we usually see some form of upsurge (in the number of cases). So we would not rule out the possibility that the number of cases will (increase) again. So we need to observe that trend and be very, very cautious.

People should stay vigilant against COVID-19 even though Hong Kong is currently experiencing a drop in the number of cases, Centre for Health Protection Controller Dr Ronald Lam said today.

Dr Lam made the remarks at a press briefing after the centre announced that the number of new coronavirus cases dropped to just nine.

"Currently, we are seeing a slow drop in the number of COVID-19 cases in the recent few days. The next step we will take would be affected by a number of factors, including, perhaps, during the Lunar New Year when many of the citizens do not seek medical consultation. So this may affect the trend of the epidemic after the Lunar New Year.

"Also, during the holidays, usually there will be some kinds of gatherings of families together, although we have appealed again and again to people to avoid that kind of mixing and gatherings."

Dr Lam added that the centre will continue to monitor the epidemic situation given the number of cases could rebound after the Lunar New Year.

"Looking back at the past experiences of the past year - usually after long vacations and after these kinds of gatherings - we usually see some form of upsurge in the number of cases. So we would not rule out the possibility that the number of cases will increase again. So we need to observe that trend and be very, very cautious."