The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority: As at yesterday (December 19), a total of 4 143 patients who tested positive for COVID-19 are hospitalised for treatment. Among the hospitalised confirmed pat… read more
The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority: Exchange Fund Bills tender results: Tender date : December 20, 2022 Paper on offer … read more
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (December 20) announced the latest epidemic situation of COVID-19. As of 0.00am, December 20, the CHP was investigating 14 112 additional locally acquired cases that tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, comprising 2 710 cases that tested positive by nucleic acid tests (1 355 confirmed cases, 1 016 asymptomatic cases and 339 cases with pending status) and 11 402 cases that tested positive by rapid antigen tests (RATs) in the past 24 hours.
Separately, 870 additional imported cases were reported, including 754 cases that tested positive by nucleic acid tests (140 confirmed cases, 520 asymptomatic cases and 94 cases with pending status) and 116 cases that tested positive by RATs. Among the additional imported cases, 560 of them involved samples at the airport, 208 of them involved samples during Day 1 to Day 3, and the remaining 102 involved samples during Day 4 to Day 7.
Hong Kong has recorded a total of 1 118 861 and 1 266 424 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. As of 0.00am, December 20, the DH’s Public Health Laboratory Services Branch (PHLSB) had identified 226 cases of sub-lineage XBB, six of XBD, eight of BA.2.75.2, seven of BA.4.6, 13 of BF.7 and 38 of BQ.1.1 among imported cases in Hong Kong, while 144 cases of sub-lineage XBB, 18 of XBD, one of BA.2.75.2, 10 of BF.7 and 169 of BQ.1.1 have also been detected among local cases.
Among the specimens received by the DH’s PHLSB during December 11 to 17 for verification testing of local cases, 0 per cent and about 53.02 per cent of them (seven-day moving average) are related to the sub-lineages BA.2.12.1 and BA.4/BA.5 (including suspected cases) of the Omicron mutant strain respectively.
In addition, as of 0.00am, December 20, a total of 11 030 death cases that had tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus during the fifth wave (since December 31, 2021) were recorded, with 10 929 and 97 deaths reported from the Hospital Authority and public mortuaries respectively as well as four deaths reported from private hospitals. Hong Kong has so far recorded a total of 11 243 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 (December 19), the total number of confirmed cases was 487 601, while the figures for asymptomatic cases, re-positive cases and pending/unknown cases recorded since January 1 were 378 170, 31 and 249 595 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 social distancing measures 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
The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (December 20) the Consumer Price Index (CPI) figures for November 2022. According to the Composite CPI, overall consumer prices rose by 1.8% in November 2022 over the same month a year earlier, the same as that in October 2022. Netting out the effects of all Government’s one-off relief measures, the year-on-year rate of increase in the Composite CPI (i.e. the underlying inflation rate) in November 2022 was 1.7%, also the same as that in October 2022.
On a seasonally adjusted basis, the average monthly rate of increase in the Composite CPI for the 3-month period ending November 2022 was 0.2%, the same as that for the 3-month period ending October 2022. Netting out the effects of all Government’s one-off relief measures, the corresponding rates of increase were both 0.1%.
Analysed by sub-index, the year-on-year rates of increase in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 1.8%, 1.7% and 1.8% respectively in November 2022, as compared to 2.0%, 1.7% and 1.8% respectively in October 2022. Netting out the effects of all Government’s one-off relief measures, the year-on-year rates of increase in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 1.8%, 1.7% and 1.8% respectively in November 2022, as compared to 1.7%, 1.6% and 1.8% respectively in October 2022.
On a seasonally adjusted basis, for the 3-month period ending November 2022, the average monthly rates of increase in the seasonally adjusted CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were all 0.2%. The corresponding rates of increase for the 3-month period ending October 2022 were 0.1%, 0.2% and 0.2% respectively. Netting out the effects of all Government’s one-off relief measures, the average monthly rates of increase in the seasonally adjusted CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) for the 3-month period ending November 2022 were all 0.1%, the same as those rates of increase for the 3-month period ending October 2022.
Amongst the various components of the Composite CPI, year-on-year increases in prices were recorded in November 2022 for electricity, gas and water (14.3%); clothing and footwear (5.2%); meals out and takeaway food (3.6%); basic food (3.3%); alcoholic drinks and tobacco (1.7%); transport (1.6%); miscellaneous services (1.6%) and miscellaneous goods (0.4%).
On the other hand, year-on-year decreases in the components of the Composite CPI were recorded in November 2022 for durable goods (-1.6%) and housing (-0.1%).
Taking the first 11 months of 2022 together, the Composite CPI rose by 1.9% over a year earlier. The respective increases in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 2.2%, 1.7% and 1.8% respectively. The corresponding increases after netting out the effects of all Government’s one-off relief measures were 1.7%, 1.7%, 1.6% and 1.8% respectively.
For the 3 months ending November 2022, the Composite CPI rose by 2.6% over a year earlier, while the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) rose by 4.1%, 1.9% and 1.8% respectively. The corresponding increases after netting out the effects of all Government’s one-off relief measures were 1.7%, 1.7%, 1.7% and 1.8% respectively.
For the 12 months ending November 2022, the Composite CPI was on average 1.9% higher than that in the preceding 12-month period. The respective increases in the CPI(A), CPI(B) and CPI(C) were 2.3%, 1.7% and 1.8% respectively. The corresponding increases after netting out the effects of all Government’s one-off relief measures were 1.7%, 1.7%, 1.6% and 1.8% respectively.
Commentary
A Government spokesman said that the underlying consumer price inflation remained moderate in November. The year-on-year increase in food prices remained relatively fast, and prices of energy-related items as well as clothing and footwear continued to increase visibly. But price pressures on other major components remained broadly in check.
Import price pressures will likely remain notable amid high inflation in many major economies, but the largely mild domestic cost pressures should help keep overall inflation moderate in the near term. The Government will continue to monitor the situation.
Further information
The CPIs and year-on-year rates of change at section level for November 2022 are shown in Table 1. The time series on the year-on-year rates of change in the CPIs before and after netting out the effects of all Government’s one-off relief measures are shown in Table 2. For discerning the latest trend in consumer prices, it is also useful to look at the changes in the seasonally adjusted CPIs. The corresponding time series on the average monthly rates of change during the latest 3 months for the seasonally adjusted CPIs are shown in Table 3. The rates of change in the original and the seasonally adjusted Composite CPI and the underlying inflation rate are presented graphically in Chart 1.
More detailed CPI data (including year-on-year comparison, month-to-month comparison, seasonally adjusted data series and the CPIs by the Classification of Individual Consumption According to Purpose (COICOP)) are available in the monthly reports. Users can download the November 2022 issue of the “Monthly Report on the Consumer Price Index” (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1060001&scode=270), the time series of CPIs at detailed level (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=D5600001&scode=270), the time series of CPIs at COICOP division level (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=D5600002&scode=270) and the time series of CPIs after netting out the effects of all Government’s one-off relief measures (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=D5600003&scode=270) at the website of the C&SD.
For enquiries about the CPIs, please contact the Consumer Price Index Section of the C&SD (Tel: 3903 7374 or email: cpi@censtatd.gov.hk). read more
According to the figures released today (December 20) by the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD), total employment in the private sector surveyed decreased by 1.1% or 28 600 persons in September 2022 compared with a year ear… read more