Concern over new COVID surge grows as more patients admitted to ICUs

Health authorities are warning that the number of COVID-19 infections in the country is increasing rapidly once more, with far more patients being admitted to Intensive Care Units (ICUs) than before. 

Authorities are also concerned over the detection of a new varient of the virus previously unseen in the country over the past several days. Further tests to determine what the new varient are currently ongoing, the Health Promotion Bureau said in a statement. 

It noted that the adhering to COVID-19 prevention guidelines had lessened during the recent new year season and said the surge in new infections could be linked to that. 

The Bureau urged people to continue to practice COVID-19 prevention guidelines including handwashing, wearing masks, maintaining social distancing and avoiding crowded gatherings, and staying home if one experiences symptoms such as cold, cough, fever and sore throat.

Failure to practice such guidelines could result in movement restrictions having to be reimposed again, it warned.