Hong Kong has achieved the target of having zero COVID-19 cases for 28 consecutive days but the public needs to prepare for the next wave of infections by getting vaccinated early.

Hong Kong University Chair of Infectious Disease Prof Yuen Kwok-yung made the remarks at a press briefing today.

Prior to the briefing, the professor held a meeting with the Centre for Health Protection to review the epidemiological investigation progress of some recent COVID-19 confirmed cases involving a four-year-old boy, a nurse working at a community vaccination centre in Jordan and another five patients.

He said these cases did not affect the target of achieving 28 consecutive days of zero cases.

“From all the available evidence that I presented today, including the four-year-old child, the nurse who was contaminated at the vaccination centre and the patients of the five cases who all have a negative IgM (Immunoglobulin M) in the serum while testing for COVID-19, while they have a positive IgG (Immunoglobulin G) at admission with very low viral load, we have a reason to believe that all these cases are not really affecting our target of achieving 28 consecutive days of zero cases. I do think that we actually have achieved it.”

Prof Yuen emphasised that the community needs to stay vigilant as a new wave of coronavirus infections cannot be ruled out.

“But remember, the virus is able to penetrate every hole that is left behind. So it's, perhaps, just a matter of time that the fifth wave will come.

"So the emphasis is not just to say that we have achieved 28 consecutive days of zero cases, but more importantly, it is the time for us to prepare for the next wave to come. And by preparation I mean that we must achieve a high vaccination rate.”