Amid Covid scare, thousands of people leaving this city every day

Hong Kong, March 7: Thousands of residents are leaving Hong Kong every day as the city continues to battle its worst wave of Covid-19 pandemic, according to media reports.

Hong Kong has been facing its worst wave of Covid-19 in which it is reported that almost 90 per cent of people died due to the fifth wave of the infection in the country. According to Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection, almost 90 per cent of the Covid-19 fatalities caused by the fifth wave of the pandemic occurred among unvaccinated patients. Of the 46 deaths (recorded from December 31 when the fifth wave began to last Friday) analysed by CHP, 40 persons had not been inoculated against the virus, Hong Kong Free Press reported citing CHP's Chuang Shuk-kwan. Also read | Punjab docs' body opposes move to allow students from Ukraine complete medical courses in state However, an exodus of Hong Kong residents has been taking place for a couple of years, as per data cited by The Voice of America. Citing experts, the media outlet said that residents are leaving because of the city's recent political unrest and ongoing restrictions due to Covid-19. According to immigration data, over 94,000 Hong Kong residents have departed the city via Hong Kong International Airport in 2022 alone, with 26,000 residents arriving. It is not clear whether the departures are permanent or temporary. Hong Kong has required lengthy quarantines for residents and professionals entering the city making it an unattractive prospect for residents to travel overseas, as per The Voice of America. Meanwhile, the country's population sees a decline in 2020. Also read | BREAKING: Russian military declares ceasefire in Ukraine | Day 12 LIVE Updates The Voice of America reported that data released by the Census and Statistics Department, Hong Kong recorded a population decline of 1.2 per cent in 2020, approximately 89,200 people, the same year the security law took effect.  -PTC News