Hong Kong's daily Covid cases top 1,000 again as flight ban extended

Hong Kong reported another record number of coronavirus cases, as well as two more deaths, with the worsening outbreak straining health-care resources and ramping up pressure on the government’s steadfast push for Covid Zero.

Authorities announced 1,325 infections on Friday, alongside more than 1,500 preliminary positive cases. That’s up from just 614 on Monday. The city said it would extend flight bans on eight countries including the US, UK, India and Australia to March 4, and added Nepal to the group as well.

Health officials had said there were significant number of silent chains of transmission in the community and blamed the