A recent survey conducted by the Patient Rights and Health Care Enhancement Association and the Hong Kong Hospital Pharmacists Association revealed that more than half of Hong Kong residents aged 40 and above believe that the threat of Covid-19 (coronavirus) has become very mild. Additionally, half of the respondents who exhibited respiratory symptoms did not undergo testing. The survey also indicated that individuals with chronic illnesses perceived a low risk of contracting Covid-19 and other respiratory diseases. The two organizations urged the government and the Hospital Authority to ensure an adequate supply of manpower, medical resources, and various medications to meet sudden spikes in demand.
The survey, conducted from February 13 to March 4 this year, involved 303 Hong Kong residents aged 40 and above. The results showed that 85% of the respondents had experienced Covid-19 infection, with an average of 1.5 infections per person, the most recent occurring about 11 months ago. 13% of the respondents or their family members had been hospitalized due to the infection. However, 56% of the respondents perceived the threat of the virus to be very mild, and only half of them would undergo testing when experiencing upper respiratory symptoms.
Furthermore, 48% of respondents with chronic illnesses believed that the chances of contracting Covid-19 and the flu in the next six months were low, with 49% thinking that even if they were simultaneously infected, the severity of the illness would not be serious.
The two organizations highlighted that in the past two months, there have been over 400 severe cases and deaths related to Covid-19. Pang Chiu-fai, convener of the Patient Rights and Health Care Enhancement Association, expressed concern about the complacency of Hong Kong’s middle-aged and elderly population, especially those with chronic illnesses, towards the threats posed by Covid-19 and other respiratory infectious diseases.
Studies have shown that individuals with one chronic illness have a 50% increased risk of Covid-19 related mortality. Concurrent infections of Covid-19, the flu, or pneumonia increase the death rate by twofold. Research in the UK indicated a 1.3 times higher mortality rate when infected with both Covid-19 and the flu, while a study in the US revealed over a two-fold increase in mortality among hospitalized patients with dual infections of Covid-19 and pneumonia. Another study showed that 53% of elderly patients requiring intensive care post-infection needed ventilator support, with a staggering 97% mortality rate.
Infectious disease specialist Lam Wai-sun analyzed that many mistakenly believe that prior infection provides immunity. However, studies have shown that the risk of reinfection with new variants, starting from BA.1, continues to increase.
Using 40 weeks post-infection as a dividing line, 75% of individuals infected with early variants Alpha, Beta, or Delta still have some level of protection. However, for those infected with BA.1, the protection drops to 36%, and for those infected with BA.4 or BA.5, the risk of reinfection is even higher. Lam pointed out that since most Hong Kong residents were infected in 2022 or 2023 with strains like BA.1 or subsequent variants, coupled with low vaccination rates post-2022, the majority of residents lack sufficient antibodies.
The research team also noted that the survey revealed a reliance on medications and the government among Hong Kong residents, with 44% of respondents not worrying about elderly family members or relatives being infected, believing that there are medications available for treatment. 87% of respondents felt that the government should prepare an adequate supply of respiratory virus medications. Furthermore, 49% of respondents believed that having sufficient medications was more important than vaccines (28%) or adequate public hospital beds and healthcare personnel (23%).
Citing data from the World Health Organization, Lam quoted that globally, the rate of positive Covid-19 tests has been increasing, along with a surge in hospitalizations and the need for intensive care. With JN.1 replacing XBB as the most prevalent variant in Hong Kong, data from the Centre for Health Protection showed that compared to January this year, the rate of visits to outpatient clinics for Covid-19 pneumonia more than doubled.
Additionally, residents are facing a dual challenge from the flu and pneumonia. While flu seasons typically end after winter, the Centre for Health Protection reported that the overall flu activity in Hong Kong is currently at a high level. Lam further highlighted that the increasing positive rate of pneumonia-causing pathogens cannot be ignored, as it can lead to persistent fever, respiratory failure, and pneumonia-related complications.
In urging residents to maintain vigilance, the government should ensure an adequate and diverse supply of Covid-19 medications. Su Yao-hua suggested that in line with the updates in Covid-19 treatment guidelines by the Hospital Authority, preparations should be made early for high-risk patients. There should be a certain stockpile of various medications, including supportive drugs, oral antiviral medications, and intravenous antiviral medications.
The Patient Rights and Health Care Enhancement Association and the Hong Kong Hospital Pharmacists Association called on both residents and the government to be prepared. They emphasized that residents, especially the elderly and those with chronic illnesses, should remain vigilant by getting tested when experiencing respiratory symptoms, wearing masks in crowded places, maintaining good hand hygiene, and receiving regular vaccinations for Covid-19 and the flu.
Moreover, they believed that the government should allocate resources promptly, stockpile medical supplies, and prescribe intravenous antiviral drugs for patients who require hospitalization and cannot take oral Covid-19 medications, to reduce hospitalization time, complications, and healthcare costs.
Editor: Chen Zhen