Hong Kong mortuaries hit capacity as COVID deaths climb

Medical workers wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) move a patient at a makeshift coronavirus disease (COVID-19) treatment area, outside a hospital in Hong Kong, China February 28, 2022. REUTERS/Tyrone Siu

Facilities for storing dead bodies at hospitals and public mortuaries in Hong Kong are at maximum capacity due to a record number of COVID-19 fatalities, the Hospital Authority said on Monday, as officials battle to control a surge in cases.

The global financial hub reported a daily record high of 34,466 new coronavirus infections and 87 deaths on Monday, health authorities said.