Coronavirus: Hong Kong health experts warn of rebound in cases, as city logs 543 new infections
- Dr Ho Pak-leung of the University of Hong Kong says trend in daily caseloads has been on the rise, but public need not to be too worried
- Rise expected after easing of social-distancing measures; hospital admissions and number of patients with serious symptoms have not increased
The warning came as health officials logged 543 new Covid-19 cases, including 86 imported ones, on Monday. No deaths related to the virus were recorded.
Dr Chuang Shuk-kwan, head of the communicable disease branch of the Centre for Health Protection (CHP), also revealed that just 75 per cent of positive rapid antigen test (RAT) results reported last Friday came back positive in follow-up checks. The remaining 75 cases, or 25 per cent, reported that day either tested negative the second time around or they refused to provide specimens for checks.
That proportion is higher than the 20 per cent average for last week. Chuang said all residents who submitted positive RAT samples would have to undergo a polymerase chain reaction confirmation test. Residents who failed to do so risked a HK$10,000 (US$1,275) fine and up to six months in jail if they were found to have deliberately submitted false information.
Clusters at bars in the city’s nightlife district also continued to expand, with 15 more infections tied to Linq, bringing the total to 93. Sixteen more cases were reported at Shuffle, taking the total to 85.
But the biggest jump in infections came from schools. A total of 204 cases were reported after students returned to classes following a weekend holiday, easily eclipsing the previous high of 45 infections reported on May 30.