The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (August 14) announced the latest epidemic situation of COVID-19. As of 0.00am, August 14, the CHP was investigating 4 764 additional locally acquired cases that tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, comprising 1 534 cases that tested positive by nucleic acid tests (665 confirmed cases, 695 asymptomatic cases and 174 cases with pending status) and 3 230 cases that tested positive by rapid antigen tests (RATs) verified in the past 24 hours.
Separately, 215 additional imported cases were reported, including 195 cases that tested positive by nucleic acid tests (15 confirmed cases, 147 asymptomatic cases and 33 cases with pending status) and 20 cases that tested positive by RATs.
Hong Kong has recorded a total of 844 446 and 572 576 cases that have tested positive by nucleic acid tests and RATs respectively for the SARS-CoV-2 virus so far.
Meanwhile, the CHP updated the classification of cases reported yesterday (August 13). Upon further verification of the information, among the 5 148 locally acquired cases, 25 of them (all are cases tested positive by nucleic acid tests) should be classified as imported cases. Therefore, the number of locally acquired cases and imported cases for yesterday are 5 123 and 185 respectively.
The CHP is continuing with epidemiological investigations of the cases. Please refer to the "COVID-19 Thematic Website" (www.coronavirus.gov.hk) for more information.
As of yesterday, among the specimens received by the DH's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch in the past seven days for verification testing of local cases, about 7 per cent and 16.1 per cent of them are related to the sub-lineages BA.2.12.1 and BA.4/BA.5 (including suspected cases) under the Omicron mutant strain respectively.
In addition, as of 0.00am, August 14, a total of 9 352 death cases that had tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus during the fifth wave (since December 31, 2021) were recorded, with 9 272 and 77 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 9 565 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, the total number of confirmed cases was 365 286, while the figures for asymptomatic cases, re-positive cases and pending/unknown cases recorded since January 1 were 241 109, 31 and 236 291 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.
​The spokesman reminded the public 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.
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