How a deadly sixth wave of COVID hit Hong Kong and New Zealand differently

Guest: Dr. Siddharth Sridhar, virologist at the University of Hong Kong

If it feels like suddenly COVID-19 is everywhere again, that is because it probably is. As Ontario’s indicators point to a sixth wave, the Omicron variant hit Hong Kong and New Zealand hard within weeks. Its impact could not have been more different. While COVID is spreading at the fastest rate in New Zealand, Hong Kong marked the highest COVID death rates in the world. What’s allowing New Zealand better outcomes in managing Omicron and what is driving deaths in Hong Kong? Today we discuss a tale of two countries.

This episode was produced by Saba Eitizaz, Julia De Laurentiis Johnston and Niki Thay