The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority: ​As at yesterday (January 23), a total of 2 511 patients who tested positive for COVID-19 were hospitalised for treatment. Among the hospitalised confirmed … read more
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (January 24) announced the latest epidemic situation of COVID-19. As of 0.00am, January 24, the CHP was investigating 1 950 additional locally acquired cases that tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, comprising 455 cases that tested positive by nucleic acid tests (184 confirmed cases, 73 asymptomatic cases and 198 cases with pending status) and 1 495 cases that tested positive by rapid antigen tests (RATs) in the past 24 hours.
Separately, 37 additional imported cases were reported, including five cases that tested positive by nucleic acid tests (three confirmed cases and two asymptomatic cases) and 32 cases that tested positive by RATs.
Hong Kong has recorded a total of 1 213 386 and 1 648 926 cases that have tested positive by nucleic acid tests and RATs respectively for the SARS-CoV-2 virus so far.
The CHP is continuing with epidemiological investigations of the cases. Please refer to the Annex and the “COVID-19 Thematic Website” (www.coronavirus.gov.hk) for more information.
The CHP has been closely monitoring the situation of positive cases involving mutant strains by genetic analysis. The accumulative figures of cases identified by the DH’s Public Health Laboratory Services Branch (PHLSB) as well as the proportion of sub-lineage and BA.4/BA.5 (including suspected cases) of the Omicron mutant strain among the specimens received by the DH’s PHLSB for verification testing of local cases are listed in the Annex.
In addition, as of 0.00am, January 24, a total of 12 990 death cases that had tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus during the fifth wave (since December 31, 2021) were recorded, with 12 856 and 127 deaths reported from the Hospital Authority and public mortuaries respectively as well as seven deaths reported from private hospitals. Hong Kong has so far recorded a total of 13 203 death cases that tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Furthermore, among the earlier cases by nucleic acid tests reported, there were cases (including pending cases) changed to confirmed, asymptomatic or re-positive cases. As at yesterday (January 23), the total number of confirmed cases was 531 235, while the figures for asymptomatic cases, re-positive cases and pending/unknown cases recorded since January 1, 2022, were 418 566, 31 and 263 094 respectively.
The spokesman for the CHP said that COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective in preventing severe cases and deaths from the SARS-CoV-2 virus. They can provide effective protection to those vaccinated in preventing serious complications and even death after infection. People who have yet to receive vaccination, especially senior citizens, chronic patients, children and other immunocompromised persons who face a higher chance of death after COVID-19 infection, should get vaccinated as early as possible for self-protection and to reduce the risk of falling seriously ill and death should they get infected.
The CHP appeals to the community to keep on maintaining personal hygiene and comply with relevant mask requirements in order to jointly contain the risk of virus transmission. The spokesman reminded members of the public that they can call various hotlines to make enquiries on COVID-19 (www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/index.html#hotline). read more
In view of the cold weather, the Home Affairs Department has opened 18 temporary shelters in various districts today (January 24) for people in need of the service. The temporary shelters will remain open when the Cold Weather Warning continues to be in force.
To ensure that cold shelter users can rest in a quiet and undisturbed environment, members of the public or agencies wishing to make donations to shelter users are requested to register with the staff of the shelter first. Donors will then be directed to place the donated items at a specified indoor location. The staff will help notify the shelter users to collect the items on their own.
Anyone seeking temporary refuge or with any questions about the donation arrangements at the cold shelters may call the department’s hotline 2572 8427 for more information.
The 18 temporary cold shelters are located at:
Hong Kong Island:
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Central and Western:
1/F, Kennedy Town Community Complex
12 Rock Hill Street, Kennedy Town
Eastern:
Causeway Bay Community Centre
3/F, 7 Fook Yum Road, Causeway Bay
Southern:
Wah Kwai Community Centre
Wah Kwai Estate, Kellett Bay
Wan Chai:
Wan Chai Activities Centre
LG/F, Wan Chai Market, 258 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai
Kowloon:
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Kowloon City:
Hung Hom Community Hall
1/F, Kowloon City Government Offices, 42 Bailey Street, Hung Hom
Kwun Tong:
Lam Tin (West) Estate Community Centre
71 Kai Tin Road, Lam Tin
Sham Shui Po:
Nam Cheong District Community Centre
1 Cheong San Lane, Sham Shui Po
Wong Tai Sin:
Tsz Wan Shan (South) Estate Community Centre
45 Wan Wah Street, Tsz Wan Shan
Yau Tsim Mong:
Henry G Leong Yaumatei Community Centre
60 Public Square Street, Yau Ma Tei
New Territories:
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Islands:
Tung Chung Community Hall
G/F, Tung Chung Municipal Services Building, 39 Man Tung Road, Tung Chung
Kwai Tsing:
Kwai Shing Community Hall
Podium, Block 6, Kwai Shing West Estate, Kwai Chung
North:
Cheung Wah Community Hall
Cheung Wah Estate, Fanling
Sai Kung:
Chi Shin Activity Centre
G/F, Tseung Kwan O South Ancillary Facilities Block
5 Chi Shin Street, Tseung Kwan O
Sha Tin:
Lung Hang Estate Community Centre
Lung Hang Estate, Sha Tin
Tai Po:
Tai Po Community Centre
2 Heung Sze Wui Street, Tai Po
Tsuen Wan:
Lei Muk Shue Community Hall
G/F, Hong Shue House, Lei Muk Shue Estate, Tsuen Wan
Tuen Mun:
Wu Shan Road Community Hall
101 Wu Shan Road, Tuen Mun
Yuen Long:
Long Ping Community Hall
Long Ping Estate, Yuen Long read more
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