Flu, Covid outbreaks yet to peak: expert

Respiratory health expert David Hui said both flu and Covid-19 infections in Hong Kong are on the rise, and haven’t reached a peak yet.

Speaking on a TVB programme, the Chinese University professor said the H3N2 subtype of influenza A is the most prevalent in the current flu season, and warned that the outbreak could last longer than expected if the dominant strain shifts to another type.

“In the current flu season, the dominant strain has been the H3N2 strain so far. But H1N1 infections are also on the rise, reaching 37 percent,” he said.

“Could the dominant strain shift from H3N2 to H1N1? If that happens, the outbreak could be prolonged, as we haven’t seen a community outbreak dominated by H1N1 for a long time, and herd immunity has weakened.”

Hui urged the elderly and chronically ill patients with weak immunity to stay vigilant.

As for Covid-19, the expert said the admission rate and mortality have dropped in recent years.

He added that many patients would recover sooner, and they might not require a long sick leave – even if they still test positive.

“Patients having a fever and coughing should not return to work due to virus transmission risk,” Hui said.

“But if patients no longer cough and the rapid test returns only a faint positive line – and they do not work in a high-risk healthcare setting – wearing a mask should be fine for general office workers.”

Hui expected the current Covid-19 outbreak to last for around three months based on last year’s experience.

Edited by Edmond Fong ...