Hong Kong's authorities have signalled they may impose a China-style hard lockdown that confines people to their homes as the city's zero-Covid strategy lies in tatters and bodies pile up in hospitals, AFP reports.

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam previously ruled out a citywide lockdown and instead has ordered all 7.4 million residents to be tested in March. But in a U-turn, health secretary Sophia Chan has confirmed that it was still an option.

Asked by a presenter at Commercial Radio whether a lockdown was still ruled out she replied: “No. We are still discussing.” “From a public health perspective, to bring out the best effect of compulsory universal testing, we need to reduce people's movements to some extent,” she added.