May be an off the topic question:

Why do people expect United to have something special planned for the added second flight at the gate? I don’t think UA has done that.

This is not the first time UA has operated two flights into HK on a daily basis. Years ago, there was an early evening departure from HK to SFO as the second flight in addition to the morning flight.

Back to topic:

Adding the second SFO flight had nothing to do with cancelling the ORD service. The announcement was made on the second SFO flight was before the ORD route was suspended.

However, the second SFO flight may impact whether the ORD route will be resumed.

I was in HK for business last week and also a few weeks ago, clearly HKG has less crowd but that SQ lounge continues to be the favorite *A lounge as no crowding has been reduced despite no water and everything is served using plastic bowls, plasticware.