Coronavirus: infections top 800 for second straight day in Hong Kong, while imported cases surpass 100 for first time
- Health officials confirm 814 infections, down slightly from 851 recorded on Saturday
- Dr Chuang Shuk-kwan from the Centre for Health Protection warns city should prepare for infections to climb even higher
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.
Another four cases tied to the Sheung Wan nightclub FLM emerged, taking the cluster to 17, while an outbreak at Racks City nightclub in Central remained unchanged, with a total of 18 people infected.
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Authorities collected 19 environmental samples from the venue, with 18 coming back negative and one indeterminate, which Chuang said could be the result of contamination.
“We have advised thorough cleaning and disinfection of the premises,” she said.
Two schools reported a total of 10 infected students, and authorities advised management to temporarily suspend face-to-face classes.
Separately, Hospital Authority (HA) chief manager Lau Ka-hin reminded the public the vaccine pass arrangement would come into effect at designated healthcare premises under the Food and Health Bureau, the Department of Health and the authority from Monday.
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If a patient could not meet the scheme’s requirements, they must show a negative polymerase chain reaction test taken 48 hours before arrival, but visiting family members must meet the conditions of the pass, he said. The vaccine requirement did not apply to healthcare premises providing emergency or urgent medical care, he added.
“We must put patients’ interests first, if there are any difficulties, patients can approach our colleagues for help,” Lau said. “The HA will handle the matter flexibly in light of the situation.”
The city’s Covid-19 tally stood at 1,219,179 cases, with 9,390 related fatalities.
