Hong Kong has reported 37,529 new coronavirus infections and 150 deaths, as the city clings to a “zero-Covid” strategy despite spiralling cases that have spread through care homes and overwhelmed healthcare facilities.

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam has said there will not be a “complete lockdown” although many residents are unnerved and frustrated by what they see as mixed messages and policy tweaks on an almost daily basis.

Health authorities said more than 900 care homes have been infected. The latest tally of 37,529 cases is down from 52,523 on Friday. This compares with about 100 infections at the start of February and a clean three-month streak of zero cases before the end of December, according to a Reuters report.