19/06/2021
【毋忘沙士抗疫英雄紀念活動｜Commemoration of SARS Heros】
(Please scroll down for the English version)
十七年前的今天，香港正式從非典型肺炎（俗稱沙士）疫單名單中被除名。二零零三年，沙士籠罩香港，造成二百九十九名港人死亡，當中包括八位醫護人員英勇殉職。
起初，中國封鎖消息，香港人又從未經歷過疫潮，因此市民對沙士都不以為然，嚴重低估了沙士所帶來的影響。二零零三年三月，威爾斯親王醫院有大批醫護人員染病，香港人才驚覺沙士已經殺到香港。事後追查源頭，沙士是由感染的中國教授劉劍倫帶到香港的。劉劍倫帶病到香港出席婚禮，令同一間酒店的十幾個住客染病，沙士正式開始在香港傳播。
沙士開始在香港傳播之後，聖保祿醫院和淘大花園都出現了大規模爆發。當時香港市民人人自危，出街一定會自覺戴上口罩。到三月三十一日，後知後覺的政府才宣布全港學校停課，但沙士的傳播已經不受控制。世界衛生組織於四月初對香港發出旅遊警告，更於四月十五日將香港列為「沙士疫區」，香港市面陷入一片蕭條。
隨住市民的防疫意識逐步提升，疫情於四月底慢慢受控，感染人數穩步下降。五月二十四日，香港首次出現「零感染」，六月十二日之後再無新個案。終於，世衛於六月二十三日將香港從疫區名單除名，沙士疫潮宣告結束。
時至今日，武漢肺炎襲港已有兩年，但我們更明白到醫護人員捨己為人的精神，感受到在瘟疫症蔓延之時他們對港人的無私奉獻。香港大學學生會將會參加毋忘沙士抗疫英雄紀念活動，到香港公園的沙士殉職醫護人員紀念銅像前追思逝者及獻上鮮花，向當年的抗疫英雄—鄭夏恩，張錫憲，劉大鈞，劉永佳，劉錦蓉，謝婉雯，鄧香美，王庚娣—表達最崇高的謝意。
詳情如下：
日期：六月二十三日（星期三）
時間：晚上七時
地點：中環香港公園抗疫英雄紀念碑
On June 23, 2003, the World Health Organisation removed Hong Kong from its list of “infected areas” of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) – a disease that killed 299 people in the city, including eight healthcare workers.
At first, China’s press had initially been banned from reporting about the virus since the outbreak in November 2002. Hongkongers have not been through major pandemics, hence there was little attention towards the virus, and the upcoming impact was underestimated. In March 2003, hospital workers in the Princes of Wales Hospital gradually developed symptoms, with Hongkongers finally realizing that SARS had circulated in the city. With subsequent tracing, it was found that Liu Jianlun, a Chinese professor who had already been infected, brought the virus to Hong Kong while visiting from China to attend a wedding ceremony, spreading the virus to other hotel residents.
With SARS spreading in Hong Kong, large outbreaks occurred in Saint Paul’s Hospital and Amoy Garden. The city drowned in panic, with everyone spontaneously wearing masks on the streets. Until March 31, the Government finally announced a citywide suspension of classes, but by then, the transmission of the virus was already uncontrollable. The WHO issued travel warnings towards Hong Kong in early April, further listing it on the list of affected areas on April 15. The city collapsed into an unprecedented crisis.
With increased awareness for hygiene, the pandemic gradually came under control in late April, and the number of cases decreased steadily. On May 24, there were no additional cases for the first time and none from June 12. With the delisting on June 23, the SARS pandemic was formally over.
Eighteen years later on the same day, it has been two years since the Wuhan pneumonia struck Hong Kong, and we have all come to understand the altruism of our fellow healthcare workers and their selfless contribution during pandemics. The Hong Kong University Students’ Union will be joining the commemoration at the SARS memorial garden in Hong Kong Park, to pay tribute and express our greatest gratitude towards SARS heroes, Cheng Ha Yan, Cheung S*k Hin, Lau Tai Kwan, Lau Wing Kai, Lau Kam Yung, Tse Yuen Man, Tang Heung Mei, and Wong Kang Tai.
Details are as follows:
Date: 23 June
Time: 1900
Venue: SARS Memorial Garden, Hong Kong Park
