Neighboring Country's Alarming 'Infection Resurgence'... Macau Extends Lockdown and Hong Kong Faces Medical Overload

Macau, Over 1,700 Cumulative Infections in 3 Weeks... Non-Essential Business Restrictions
Japan, 110,000 Cases... 200,000 Expected Next Week

The Macau government announced that all business activities, except for essential workplaces, will be suspended until the 22nd. Macau, which went into lockdown on the 11th, was scheduled to lift it at midnight on the 17th.
[Image source=Getty Images]

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Nayeon] Macau has extended its city lockdown to prevent the spread of COVID-19 infections.

On the 16th, the Macau government announced that all business activities, except for essential workplaces, will be suspended until the 22nd.

Macau, which entered lockdown on the 11th, was scheduled to lift it at midnight on the 17th, but due to 31 new COVID-19 cases reported on the 16th, bringing the total infections to 2,030, the city lockdown has been extended to block further infections.

During the lockdown in Macau, supermarkets, hospitals, pharmacies, telecommunications, and public transportation remain operational, while restaurants are only allowed to sell takeout food.

All residents must stay at home unless for urgent matters or purchasing daily necessities, and must wear KN95 masks when going outside.

Although residents' movement is not completely prohibited, it is a "quasi-lockdown" where going out for walks or exercise is banned, and police are fining those who violate this and go outside.

Meanwhile, China's daily new COVID-19 cases have exceeded 500 again for the first time in about 50 days.

In China, the economy has suffered significant damage due to the "Zero COVID" policy, which enforces strict control even if there is only one infected person. Japan also reported a record high of over 110,000 new cases.

According to NHK, Japan's public broadcaster, 110,675 new COVID-19 cases were reported nationwide the previous day. This surpassed the previous highest record of 104,169 cases on February 4, the peak of the "6th wave," after about five months.

However, Japan's recent daily COVID-19 deaths are around 20 to 30, which is lower compared to 100 to 300 daily deaths in February. As of the previous day, the number of severe cases was 114, stable compared to over 1,500 at the peak of the 6th wave.

Hong Kong, which, along with China and Macau, maintains the "Zero COVID" policy, is also showing a continued spread of COVID-19.

Hong Kong's daily new COVID-19 cases have exceeded 3,000 for four consecutive days, including 3,762 cases the previous day. With a population of about 7.4 million, Hong Kong's cumulative COVID-19 infections total 1,290,596, with 9,433 cumulative deaths.

Hong Kong authorities stated that the number of COVID-19 hospitalized patients has again exceeded 1,000, putting a strain on the healthcare system.