HK sees 4.7k COVID-19 cases

October 19, 2022

The Centre for Health Protection today said it is investigating 4,734 additional locally acquired COVID-19 cases, of which 1,252 were identified through nucleic acid tests and 3,482 via rapid antigen tests.

 

Separately, 390 imported cases were detected.

 

Furthermore, six residential care homes for the elderly logged seven cases involving their residents and staff.

 

Meanwhile, there were 688 positive cases concerning 587 students and 101 staff filed by 479 schools. As a result, 11 classes and a basketball team were advised to suspend face-to-face lessons for seven days.

 

In addition to reporting that 12 patients passed away in public hospitals due to the coronavirus, the Hospital Authority registered four more critical patients, bringing the number of patients in critical condition to 22.

 

The centre also noted that the Department of Health’s Public Health Laboratory Services Branch has identified 99 XBB, two XBD, four BA.2.75.2, one BA.4.6, five BF.7 and nine BQ.1.1 mutant strain cases among imported infections so far.

 

Due to a number of positive cases, 56 specified places are included in a compulsory testing notice. It also covers another 16 places in Sha Tin, Kowloon City, Tung Chung and Tin Shui Wai where some sewage samples tested positive for the virus.

 

The Government will reopen the ad-hoc mobile specimen collection station at Ma Hang Estate in Stanley tomorrow, while the service period of the ad-hoc station at Hing Man Estate in Chai Wan will be extended to October 21.

 

As there were positive sewage test results with relatively high viral loads in several areas of Tuen Mun, Tai Po and Yau Tsim Mong districts, the Housing Department and 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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