HKU in the news (Apr 2-Apr 8)

Apr 8 HKU researcher publishes paper in Lancet which says China’s restrictions have brought the first wave to an end but the danger of a second is very real and lockdowns can't end until Covid-19 vaccine found (Professor Joseph T Wu) (link) (link)

Apr 8 HKU School of Public Health has been estimating the real-time Rt in Hong Kong, which can guide how societies ease coronavirus lockdowns (Professor Benjamin Cowling) (link)

Apr 8 HKUMed reaches agreement with biotech company on clinical testing of 3 candidate vaccines for COVID-19 which were identified using artificial intelligence and big data techniques (link)

Apr 6 HKU microbiologist Dr Ho Pak-leung urges government to make masks mandatory and step up social-distancing enforcement (Professor Ho Pak-leung) (link)

Apr 5 HKU microbiologist Professor Yuen kwok-yung warns of a third wave of infections as mainland Chinese gradually return to Hong Kong (Professor Yuen Kwok-yun) (link)

Apr 4 HKU was given initial funding of US$620,000 to undertake preclinical testing of a candidate vaccine for COVID-19 (link)

Apr 4 HKU epidemiologist believes surgical face masks could prevent transmission of human coronaviruses and influenza viruses from symptomatic individuals (Professor Benjamin Cowling) (link) (link)

Apr 4 HKU Virologist Leo Poon believes that evidence for the airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 isn’t yet sufficient (Professor Leo Poon) (link)

Apr 3 HKU microbiologist Professor Yuen kwok-yung says scientists are studying whether they can disinfect and reuse N95 respirators worn by medical professionals, as well as standard face masks for the general public (Professor Yuen Kwok-yun) (link)

Apr 2 HKU Dean of Medicine estimates the global coronavirus pandemic could last a few more months, disputing the claim from another Chinese infectious disease expert that the crisis could be curbed in a matter of weeks (Professor Gabriel Leung) (link)

Apr 2 HKUMed researcher uses aggregate statistical data from Octopus cards to study transmission patterns of the coronavirus and the movements of city residents to boost measures to contain the disease (link)

Apr 2 HKU Hong Kong Institute of Economics and Business Strategy predicts the economy will contract by 8.3% in 1^st quarter and 3 percent this year due to COVID-19 outbreak (link)

Apr 2 HKU microbiologist Professor Yuen kwok-yung suggests to increase the capacity for COVID-19 testing to 7500 daily (Professor Yuen Kwok-yun) (link)