Hong Kong Covid Cases Jump on Potential Abuse of Self-Reporting

A government requirement has taken effect requiring all eligible residents to get a third vaccination to enter premises such as restaurants, bars, gyms and hair salons.

Photographer: Bertha Wang/Bloomberg
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Hong Kong saw a sudden jump in self-reports of Covid-19 infections as a deadline neared for proving immunity, either through contracting the virus or getting a third vaccination, to enter restaurants and bars.

It’s possible that some residents are reporting past positive results to circumvent the requirement, city officials said at a briefing on Wednesday. The city reported 505 new cases, an increase of more than 50% from Tuesday. Hong Kong’s daily infections ranged between 200 and 300 throughout May.