Hong Kong is facing a rapidly-increasing surge of omicron infections. According to the ABC, “On Thursday the city of 7.5 million people recorded 6,107 new cases — more than 40 times the level at the start of February. Modelling from Hong Kong University predicts the city will reach more than 28,000 cases per day by mid-March.”

As a result, Hong Kong’s diagnostic system has become swamped, with queues outside PCR testing venues. To get to the front of the queue often takes six to seven hours. Due to lack of space, hospitals have been forced to treat patients outdoors.

In response to the situation, the Anglican Archbishop, the Most Rev’d Andrew Chan released a statement. He said, “In the midst of our current pandemic wave, may each of us, as Christians, be able to do our part in this ongoing battle”. In it he acknowledged the difficulties that the government and health professionals have been facing. He also recognised the businesses who have been hard hit and the toll that the pandemic has had on individuals in the territory.

He went on to say that “we are, yet again, facing the cancelling of public worship due to a spike in Covid cases” and noted the frustration that this would bring. He asked Anglicans to remind themselves of “the responsibilities that our Lord has given us as the caretakers of his creation. Though we may be currently limited to virtual means for our worship and education, we hold fast the belief that our Lord is truly everywhere, and whenever we dedicate ourselves to participate in and listen to his word, we know that he is in the midst of us”. He asked Anglicans in Hong Kong to pray with one voice for God’s healing on the world that swift recovery might be found. Though ordinary worship has been suspended, funerals are still allowed to take place in the city as they are still considered to be ‘exempted gatherings’.

Vaccination rates in the territory are comparatively low. The ABC reports that “While Hong Kong began rolling out vaccinations as early as February 2021, figures show that by February 15 this year, only 74.5 per cent of the population had received two doses, and only 43.03 per cent of people aged 70 and above were fully vaccinated”. They also report that many people have been vaccinated with the Sinovac vaccine, which studies have found to be ineffective in generating antibodies against the omicron variant.

Please remember the people of Hong Kong in your prayers at this difficult time. Here is a prayer written by Archbishop Andrew, adapted for us in Australia:

O Lord, grant us that the people of Hong Kong may glimpse your face amidst this pandemic wave. Grant their health workers safety, and may they find the love and wisdom needed to tend to the ill. May those who are in poor health find the help that they need, and when the time comes that this pandemic should finally be over, may people from around the world all the more treasure the health that you so graciously grant us. May we learn the way to work together, and to walk with joined hands in our shared journey towards a solution. This we pray in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

See https://youtu.be/HPyCiuu3aN8 for Archbishop Andrew Chan’s statement in full.

See https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-02-18/hong-kong-covid-zero-no-match-for-omicron/100838410 for more information.

Full version of Archbishop’s Statement

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

In the midst of our current pandemic wave, may each of us, as Christians, be able to do our part in this ongoing battle. We know that many of our government and health professionals have been working tirelessly day in and day out, holding the line of public health against this new surging wave. For that we should be grateful, and pray to our Lord for their continued health. We know as well that many businesses have been hit hard, and we must therefore walk with them in their moments of hardship. Perhaps there are those of you who have been directly affected, and who understood first-hand the looming difficulties that this wave is bringing. Though it might not seem much, a simple yet sincere word of greeting and support may just be what we all need right now, to comfort us in this storm.

We are, yet again, facing the cancelling of public worship due to a spike in COVID cases. I share the same frustration that many of you are doubtlessly feeling at this moment, but we must remind ourselves of the responsibilities that our Lord has given us as the caretakers of his creation. Though that we may be currently limited to virtual means for our worship and education, we hold fast the belief that our Lord is truly everywhere, and whenever we dedicate ourselves to participate in and listen to his word, we know that he is in the midst of us. Let us therefore pray with united breath, that God may heal our world and all our hearts, and that this world and ourselves in it may both find swift recovery.

Let us pray:

O Lord, grant us that we may glimpse your face amidst this pandemic wave. Grant our health workers safety, and may they find the love and wisdom needed to tend to the ill. May those who are in poor health find the help that they need, and when the time comes that this pandemic should finally be over, may people from around the world all the more treasure the health that you so graciously grant us. May we learn the way to work together, and to walk with joined hands in our shared journey towards a solution. This we pray in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.]