Coronavirus: Hong Kong prepared for rebound in infections even as fifth wave of pandemic subsides, health minister says; 251 cases logged

Authorities scaling up anti-epidemic efforts in preparation for any large rebound in infections as chains of transmission continue to exist

Cluster from McDonald’s in Tai Koo Shing expands; authorities unable to draw links between infections for now

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Hong Kong officials have urged the public to remain vigilant, even though the fifth wave of the pandemic had subsided. Photo: Nora Tam

Published: 5:00pm, 26 May 2022Updated: 10:44am, 27 May 2022

Corrected [10:19pm, 26 May, 2022]

[10:19pm, 26 May, 2022]
An earlier version of this article wrongly attributed a statement that authorities had to work on anti-epidemic efforts before considering a further relaxation of social-distancing rules to Carrie Lam. It was said by Ronald Lam.

Hong Kong reported more than 250 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, as the health minister sought to reassure the public the government was prepared for any possible rebound in infections.

Secretary for Food and Health Sophia Chan Siu-chee urged the public to remain vigilant even though the fifth wave of the pandemic had subsided.

“Our daily caseload remains at around 200 to 300, and even dropped below 200 on one day,” she said. “But it also means there are still chains of transmission in our community.”

The city on Thursday confirmed 251 new coronavirus infections, including 36 imported ones, and two more virus-related deaths.

Chan noted the Centre for Health Protection had been scaling up its anti-epidemic efforts and preparing for a large rebound in infections as a precautionary measure.