The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     As at 0.00am today (May 6), a total of 1 075 patients who tested positive for COVID-19 are currently being treated in the North Lantau Hospital Hong Kong Infection Control Centre, the Hospital Authority (HA) Infectious Disease Centre and public hospitals. There were 151 patients who have recovered, including 105 patients who have been discharged. In addition, seven patients who passed away in public hospitals were reported.
 
     In the fifth wave of the epidemic, there are 48 643 patients who have recovered so far, including 47 943 patients who have been discharged. And since early 2020, there are 61 023 patients who have recovered, including 60 323 patients who have been discharged.
 
     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 (May 6) announced the latest epidemic situation of COVID-19. As of 0.00am, May 6, the CHP was investigating 144 additional cases that tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus by nucleic acid tests (47 confirmed cases, 83 asymptomatic cases and 14 cases with pending case status) in the past 24 hours. Separately, 180 additional positive cases through rapid antigen tests (RATs) (95 symptomatic cases and 85 asymptomatic cases) were reported. Hong Kong has recorded a total of 759 316 and 446 725 cases that have tested positive by nucleic acid tests and RATs respectively for the SARS-CoV-2 virus so far.

     The aforementioned newly reported cases consist of 29 imported cases (23 cases and six cases tested positive by nucleic acid tests and RATs respectively). The CHP is continuing with epidemiological investigations on the cases. Please refer to the "COVID-19 Thematic Website" (www.coronavirus.gov.hk) for more information.

     In addition, as of 0.00am, May 6, a total of 9 131 death cases that had tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus during the fifth wave (since December 31, 2021) were recorded, with 9 053 and 75 deaths reported from the Hospital Authority and public mortuaries respectively as well as three deaths reported from the Chinese University of Hong Kong Medical Centre. Hong Kong has so far recorded a total of 9 344 death cases that have 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 (May 5), the total number of confirmed cases was 331 134, while the figures for asymptomatic cases, re-positive cases and pending/unknown cases recorded since January 1 were 197 286, 22 and 230 730 respectively.

     The spokesman for the CHP stressed that as the local situation of COVID-19 infection is still severe, the CHP strongly appeals to the community to continue to comply with social distancing measures, avoid going out and refrain from participating in unnecessary or crowded activities or gatherings. This would lower the risk of infection and prevent the virus from spreading in the community.

     â€‹The spokesman reminded 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 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 task force of ensuring medical supplies led by the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau (CEDB) continues to work closely with its Mainland counterparts. Most of the anti-epidemic medical supplies have arrived in Hong Kong in good order and have been distributed to frontline personnel and citizens in need through various channels with a view to stabilising the fifth wave of the epidemic.
      
     A spokesman for the CEDB said today (May 6) that with the staunch support of the Central Government, over 30 types of medical supplies broadly under five main categories, namely testing, personal protection, disinfection, medication and equipment, procured with the co-ordination of the Central Government, have been received.
      
     The supplies include 260 million rapid antigen test (RAT) kits, over 400 million N95/KN95/surgical/medical masks, around 120 million sets of personal protective equipment (including protective coveralls, protective gowns, goggles, face shields, shoe covers and surgical/examination gloves), and 1.6 million pulse oximeters. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government expresses gratitude to the Central Government for its donation of 600 000 boxes of anti-epidemic proprietary Chinese medicines. All of them have been distributed through the Food and Health Bureau to residents subject to "restriction-testing declarations", and through the Hospital Authority to confirmed patients in isolation facilities and those receiving treatment at 18 Chinese medicine clinics.
      
     The task force had earlier provided the Home Affairs Department with over 70 million RAT kits and KN95 masks for distribution to households in Hong Kong via over 3 million anti-epidemic service bags. Millions of additional RAT kits were also made available for collection by people in need at anti-epidemic service bag distribution points. The service bags distributed also included over 7 million boxes of anti-epidemic proprietary Chinese medicines procured with the co-ordination of the Central Government. Meanwhile, following the resumption of classes in kindergartens and primary and secondary schools in phases, all students and teaching staff are required to conduct an RAT before returning to school every day. The task force has distributed 10 million RAT kits to schools via the Education Bureau for use by financially needy students.
      
     The remaining supplies will continue to be distributed to frontline personnel of anti-epidemic work, persons with higher infection risks (such as residents subject to "restriction-testing declarations" or living in areas testing positive under sewage tracing) and people working in high-risk industries (such as cross-boundary goods vehicle drivers, property management staff, cleaning staff and staff of residential care homes for the elderly) through multiple channels. Relevant supplies are being provided daily to confirmed patients and their close contacts, and family members in the form of anti-epidemic kits.
      
     The rest of the medical supplies, such as RAT kits and high-grade protective masks in higher demand, are centrally managed and stored by the Government Logistics Department for use and regular withdrawal by relevant departments to meet their demands in the coming months. The task force will continue to review the situation and adjust in a timely manner the procurement of medical supplies according to the Government's anti-epidemic policies and measures.

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     The Legislative Council (LegCo) Panel on Transport visited Admiralty and Exhibition Centre Stations of the East Rail Line (ERL) cross-harbour extension today (May 6) to better understand the station facilities and relevant arrangements before the commissioning of the ERL cross-harbour extension.
 
     Accompanied by the Chief Executive Officer of the MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL), Dr Jacob Kam, panel members and non-panel members visited the ERL platform and concourse areas of the Admiralty Station extension which will be open for use. They also learnt about the interchange arrangements for passengers in the future. Admiralty Station, the new terminal station of the ERL, will become a "mega interchanging hub" connecting the ERL with Tsuen Wan Line, Island Line and South Island Line. Passengers arriving at Admiralty Station can interchange with other railway lines without exiting the paid area.
 
     Members also boarded a train to the newly-built Exhibition Centre Station. The new station is a three-storey underground station, comprising a station concourse and two platform levels. The station's exits are connected to the reinstated public transport interchange, the nearby commercial buildings and Wan Chai's footbridge network. During the visit, members were also briefed by the representatives of the MTRCL on the challenges encountered during the construction of the ERL cross-harbour extension.
 
     The ERL cross-harbour extension will be commissioned on May 15, connecting Hung Hom Station to Exhibition Centre Station and Admiralty Station. With the new extension, the ERL will become Hong Kong's fourth cross-harbour railway line, running approximately 46 kilometres and serving 16 stations.

          

     Police today (May 6) appealed to the public for information on a man who went missing in Aberdeen.

     Connell Shaun Howard, aged 59, went missing after he left his working place on Tai Tam Reservoir Road yesterday morning (May 5). His colleague made a report to Police on the same day.

     He is about 1.75 metres tall, 68 kilograms in weight and of medium build. He has a round face with white complexion and short greyish white hair. He was last seen wearing a dark blue long-sleeved shirt, blue trousers and black shoes.

     Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing man or may have seen him is urged to contact the Regional Missing Person Unit of New Territories South on 3661 1176 or 9459 2196 or email to rmpu-nts-2@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.