The Covid-19 pandemic has reached its peak, according to infectious diseases expert Ivan Hung Fan-ngai.

He expects the number of infections to decrease in two to three weeks.

However, Hung warned that the pandemic may experience minor waves every six months for the next few years.

Hung, a clinical professor at the University of Hong Kong, said that the current prevalent Covid variant, XBB, is as virulent as common respiratory viruses.

He advised healthy residents to avoid getting a booster shot, but urged high-risk individuals, children, and seniors with chronic diseases to get vaccinated against XBB and influenza in October.

Hung also recommended that high-risk groups wear masks in crowded and indoor places.

The Centre for Health Protection reported that 3,489 positive cases were reported through nucleic acid tests from May 21 to 27, a slight increase of 2 percent compared to the previous week.

Hung said that the community immunity barrier drops every six months, causing a minor peak in the pandemic.

However, he added that each subsequent wave would be lower than the previous one.

On Tuesday, the government lowered the Covid response level from emergency to alert, and the Covid-19 expert advisory panel was disbanded.

Hung said that the cancellation of the panel would not affect communication opportunities with the government.

He added that there are plenty of channels within the government and Hospital Authority to collect first-hand Covid information.

Hung had previously supported the proposal for an independent commission of inquiry to look into the handling of the pandemic.

However, he disagreed with the idea of an independent commission yesterday, citing the enormous human and material resources needed.

Instead, he believes that the government should conduct an internal investigation.