Thread by @tripperhead

Chief Executive Carrie Lam:

• Epidemic is getting worse. Outbreak worst we've seen throughout the pandemic

• Omicron has high transmissibility

• Seen many vertical/horizontal transmission. Doesn't involve the structural issues of buildings this time

• Delta cases are dropping. Hoping we have that outbreak under control

• More and more alerts sent out via the sewage monitoring system. They are all over the territory.

• Our strategy is still dynamic zero infection. Hope to cut the transmission as soon as possible.

• Many ways to test. There's lockdowns. Most vigorous way of testing. Then there's CTNs. People are allowed to leave their premises, but need to get tested. Then there's testing on a voluntary testing. If you're concerned, you can get tested. Similar to what was done Sept 2020

• Now we have Rapid Antigen Tests. Reminder that it's not a replacement for PCR Tests.

• 19 Testing Centres. Then also up to 70 mobile testing locations per day.

• Lab capacity is 100k a day. But on average lately it's up to 130k-140k tests per day.

• Will increase lab capacity from 100k to 200k per day.

• Reinstating a testing laboratory in Fo Tan.

• Increase use of RATs. Home Affairs Dept has worked with 2k volunteer workers to distribute them. Given to cleaners and security workers.

• 600k RATs distributed so far

• procuring RATs in the 10s of millions.

• Will give one RAT to everyone in Hong Kong

• Carrie Lam received a LHS notification after attending a funeral. Took a RAT test.

Here is a photo showing her negative rapid antigen test result.

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• Penny's Bay to be converted into a community isolation facility for COVID-19 cases

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• home isolation for close contacts of close contacts to begin in the near future (4 days quarantine with wristband)

• will look at their age, the type of residence they live in, etc. to decide whether they can quarantine at home

• New social distancing measure will be discussed at ExCo next Tuesday.

• Vaccine Pass: More scheduled premises to be included

• At some point in the future, the requirement will be three doses

Q&A:

Lam: RATs can't replace PCR tests for CTNs.

Lam: Not going to repeat why I'm not wearing a mask. I do lots of RATs and PCR tests. I stand far enough away from you in the media to be safe.

Lam: (reading the LHS notification) It was not a compulsory testing notice. It was a suggestion. There was no confirmed case at the funeral. So I took a rapid antigen test.

*Lam showing the LeaveHomeSafe notification*

Lam: If we don't boost the vaccination rate, we will be in very challenging circumstances in months to come.

Lam: The reason we aren't doing universal community
testing like we did before; last time 1.7 million got tested, 45 positive cases.

The targeted testing we are doing now; 2nd day of CNY - 138k tests, 130 positive cases.

Lam: When we have finite resources, we need to target the testing. I expect the RATs will be more successful.

There is no requirement to take the RATs that will be distributed to all Hong Kongers. Worldwide stocks are low, still trying to acquire them. Then will send out.

Lam: The concept of adding public transport to the Vaccine Pass scheme is controversial. There are voices for and again it. Will have to wait until ExCo makes a decision.

Lam said she couldn't hear the questions from SCMP.

"I couldn't hear you, that's a problem of wearing a mask sometimes."

Lam: Virus is not out of control, but situation is increasingly serious. Fear we still have not reached peak of fifth wave. But no matter what, the government will not give up, we will do our best to reach zero infections.

Carrie Lam: At the moment, the current strategy is the best for Hong Kong. Achieving dynamic zero is still our best target. Hope you'll agree with me that we should put the lives of our ppl at the top priority.

Q: Will the Vaccine Pass exempt children?

A: The idea of the Vaccine Pass is to get those currently unvaccinated vaccinated. It's targeting those who are eligible. If children are unable to get vaccinated due to age, imagine they will be exempt.

*No new social distancing measures announced. Lam will meet the media on Tuesday after ExCo. End of press conference*