The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     â€‹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 patients, 185 were new patients, 1 236 required isolation, 380 required oxygen therapy and 49 required ventilator support. There were 11 newly reported critical patients and 14 newly reported serious patients. There were a total of 130 patients in critical condition and 132 serious condition, of which 25 critical patients were receiving intensive care. Moreover, there were 191 patients who had recovered, including 104 patients who had been discharged. In addition, 36 patients who passed away in public hospitals were reported. According to preliminary analysis, the cause of death of 18 patients was related to COVID-19, while that of the remaining 18 patients was not.
      
     The overall occupancy of medical beds in acute hospitals is around 88 per cent.
      
     The HA will maintain close contact with the Centre for Health Protection to monitor the latest developments and to inform the public and healthcare workers on the latest information in a timely manner.

     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).

     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:
—————-
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

     Police today (January 24) appealed to the public for information on a man who went missing in Mong Kok .

     Lee Siu-man, aged 71, went missing after he left an elderly home on Bedford Road in the small hours today. The staff of the elderly home reported to Police on the same day.

     He is about 1.6 metres tall, 50 kilograms in weight and of medium build. He has a square face with yellow complexion and short black hair. He was last seen wearing a black jacket, blue trousers and black slippers.

     Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing man or may have seen him is urged to contact the Regional Missing Persons Unit of Kowloon West on 3661 8036 or 9020 6542 or email to rmpu-kw@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.

  

     To properly manage the crowd, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) and the Police implemented crowd management measures at the Che Kung Festival Fair (CKFF) and its vicinity to maintain order and ensure public safety.

     In light of the latest crowd situation at the CKFF as well as the views of stall vendors, the FEHD, after consultation with the Police and stall vendors, has adjusted the entry arrangements for the CKFF, including removing some mills barriers, so that worshippers can enter the CKFF smoothly both before or after their visit to Che Kung Temple. The relevant measures had been implemented before Che Kung Temple reopened at 11pm yesterday (January 23), and the operation has been smooth so far. 
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     The FEHD will closely monitor the crowd situation at the CKFF and its vicinity, and will adjust relevant measures when necessary.