Coronavirus: infections top 800 for second straight day in Hong Kong, while imported cases surpass 100 for first time

A leading health official warned on Sunday the city should prepare for infections to climb even higher, noting the risk of community transmission had increased as people socialised more.

“There has been a rise in cases recently, and we do not rule out the possibility of further increases in the daily caseload,” said Dr Chuang Shuk-kwan, head of the communicable disease branch at the Centre for Health Protection. “These cases are not concentrated in one particular area, there are cases across the city.”

Health officials on Sunday confirmed 814 infections, down slightly from the 851 recorded on Saturday, while no new deaths related to the virus were reported.

Authorities identified 106 imported cases, 64 of which were discovered at the airport and another 34 at quarantine hotels and isolation facilities.

When asked whether Hong Kong should again tighten the mechanism for suspending flights that brought in infected passengers, Chuang said cases were found on many different planes and the airport had grown busier. She also noted more sewage samples had tested positive and urged residents to ensure they were fully vaccinated.

The city also reached a 90 per cent vaccination rate for a second dose, while 60 per cent of the population had received a third shot, according to Secretary for the Civil Service Patrick Nip Tak-kuen.

“We will continue to promote the timely vaccination of citizens for the third dose, and enhance the protection of the social vaccine barrier before winter, so as to avoid a major outbreak when the sixth wave strikes,” Nip wrote on Facebook.