Hong Kong's coronavirus battle has intensified as authorities reported new cases had multiplied by 60 times so far this month.
Local media has reported that testing would become compulsory for everyone in the global financial hub from March. Hospitals are overwhelmed with some patients, including elderly, left lying on beds outside in chilly, sometimes rainy weather, in shocking scenes that prompted an apology from authorities in the Chinese controlled city.
Schools, gyms cinemas and most public venues are shut. Many office employees work from home. Many residents are fatigued by the harsh restrictions imposed to protect them against the pandemic, even as most other major cities in the world adjust to living with the virus.
Health authorities reported a record 6,116 confirmed cases today, up from 4,285 the previous day, with a further 6,300 preliminary positive cases.