The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority: As at 0.00am today (December 5), a total of 2 993 patients who tested positive for COVID-19 are currently hospitalised for treatment, including 411 new patients. Curren… read more
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (December 5) announced the latest epidemic situation of COVID-19. As of 0.00am, December 5, the CHP was investigating 8 843 additional locally acquired cases that tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, comprising 1 977 cases that tested positive by nucleic acid tests (985 confirmed cases, 827 asymptomatic cases and 165 cases with pending status) and 6 866 cases that tested positive by rapid antigen tests (RATs) in the past 24 hours.
Separately, 665 additional imported cases were reported, comprising 579 cases that tested positive by nucleic acid tests (104 confirmed cases, 458 asymptomatic cases and 17 cases with pending status) and 86 cases that tested positive by RATs. Among the additional imported cases, 457 of them involved samples at the airport, 159 involved samples during Day 1 to Day 3, and the remaining 49 involved samples during Day 4 to Day 7.
Hong Kong has recorded a total of 1 065 656 and 1 101 828 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 5, the DH’s Public Health Laboratory Services Branch (PHLSB) had identified 225 cases of sub-lineage XBB, six of XBD, eight of BA.2.75.2, seven of BA.4.6, 13 of BF.7 and 36 of BQ.1.1 among imported cases in Hong Kong, while 104 cases of sub-lineage XBB, 18 of XBD, one of BA.2.75.2, four of BF.7 and 121 of BQ.1.1 have also been detected among local cases.
Among the specimens received by the DH’s PHLSB during November 26 to December 2 for verification testing of local cases, 0 per cent and about 70.16 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 5, a total of 10 613 death cases that had tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus during the fifth wave (since December 31, 2021) were recorded, with 10 517 and 92 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 10 826 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) that were changed to confirmed, asymptomatic or re-positive cases. As of yesterday (December 4), the total number of confirmed cases was 464 010, while the figures for asymptomatic cases, re-positive cases and pending/unknown cases recorded since January 1 were 351 986, 31 and 247 073 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 complying 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
Police today (December 5) appealed to the public for information on a man who went missing in Tseung Kwan O. Heung Man-ki, aged 29, went missing after he left his residence in Ming Tak Esta… read more
The Government announced today (December 5) that in order to fight the coronavirus epidemic, the Environmental Protection Department and the Drainage Services Department have been collecting sewage samples for virus testing in … read more
In light of positive test results for the COVID-19 virus from sewage samples collected in Tsuen Wan and Sha Tin Districts, the Home Affairs Department (HAD) said today (December 5) that the Tsuen Wan District Office (TWDO) and the Sha Tin District Office (STDO) have distributed a total of about 52 000 COVID-19 rapid test kits to households, cleansing workers and property management staff living and working in the Districts.
The TWDO distributed rapid test kits to households, cleansing workers and property management staff living and working in The Cairnhill, Hong Kong Garden, Hong Kong Garden Yale Villa, Royal Sea Crest, Villa Alfavista, Anglers’ Bay, Seascape Villa, Lung Tang Court and L’Aquatique for voluntary testing through the property management companies and the household representative. The TWDO also distributed rapid test kits to households living in Yuen Tun Village, Pai Min Kok Village in Sham Tseng and Tsing Lung Tau New Village for voluntary testing through the Village Representatives.
In addition, the STDO also distributed rapid test kits to households, cleansing workers and property management staff living and working in Kam Lung Court for voluntary testing through the owners’ corporation and the property management company.
The HAD made the above arrangements in the hope of identifying infected persons early.
Members of the public may refer to the demonstration video produced by the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) under the Department of Health (DH) via www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzFAUzTtmKk to learn how to use the rapid antigen test (RAT) kit.
Persons testing positive through an RAT should take a photo of the test result and declare the result within 24 hours via the Declaration System for Individuals Tested Positive for COVID-19 Using Rapid Antigen Test (www.chp.gov.hk/ratp). If members of the public encounter difficulties in using the online platform, they can call the automated system at 183 6119 to register their identification document and telephone number. The CHP under the DH will contact the relevant person later to complete the report procedure. There is no need to declare negative test results.
The Government appeals for the co-operation of members of the public to safeguard the health of themselves and their families by undergoing testing on a voluntary basis and fighting the virus together. The Government urges all individuals who are in doubt about their own health condition, or individuals with infection risks (such as individuals who visited places with epidemic outbreaks or had contact with cases that tested positive), to undergo testing promptly for early identification of infected persons to reduce the transmission risks of COVID-19. read more