HK logs 5.5k COVID-19 cases

August 17, 2022

(To watch the full press briefing with sign language interpretation, click here.)

 

The Centre for Health Protection today said it is looking into 5,563 additional locally acquired COVID-19 cases, of which 2,167 were directly identified through nucleic acid tests and 3,396 via verified rapid antigen tests.

 

Separately, 194 imported cases were reported and four more patients passed away.

 

At a press briefing this afternoon, the centre's Principal Medical & Health Officer Dr Albert Au noted that the increasing number of COVID-19 cases involving elderly people is a major concern.

 

Dr Au said: “We have observed a significant increase in the absolute number of elderly persons aged 60 years or above infected with COVID-19 in the past few weeks. According to the latest figures in the past two weeks, there are over 15,000 elderly people aged 60 years or above infected with COVID-19.

 

“So we encourage the elderly living in the community to receive vaccination as soon as possible. And if they have symptoms, they must seek medical care or consultation and also do testing so that if they are really infected, they can receive treatment as early as possible.”

 

The centre added that there were also 74 cases reported by 48 schools. Four such schools have been advised to suspend face-to-face lessons for specific classes for one week.

 

Due to a number of positive cases, 56 specified places are included in a compulsory testing notice. It also covers nine specified premises in Aberdeen and Fanling where some sewage samples tested positive for the virus.

 

The Government will reopen the mobile specimen collection stations at Hing Man Estate in Chai Wan and Wah Fu (II) Estate in Pok Fu Lam tomorrow while the service period of the mobile specimen collection station at Chuk Yuen North Estate in Wong Tai Sin will be extended to August 19.

 

As there were positive sewage test results with relatively high viral loads in several areas in Kwun Tong, Sha Tin, Tai Po and Wong Tai Sin districts, the Housing Department and the respective district offices will distribute COVID-19 rapid test kits to relevant residents as well as cleaning workers and property management staff working there.

 

For information and health advice on COVID-19, visit the Government’s dedicated webpage.

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