The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (October 6) announced the latest epidemic situation of COVID-19. As of 0.00am, October 6, the CHP was investigating 3 993 additional locally acquired cases that tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, comprising 1 075 cases that tested positive by nucleic acid tests (513 confirmed cases, 475 asymptomatic cases and 87 cases with pending status) and 2 918 cases that tested positive by rapid antigen tests (RATs) in the past 24 hours.
Separately, 325 additional imported cases were reported, including 305 cases that tested positive by nucleic acid tests (53 confirmed cases, 238 asymptomatic cases and 14 cases with pending status) and 20 cases that tested positive by RATs.
Hong Kong has recorded a total of 957 785 and 829 870 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 "COVID-19 Thematic Website" (www.coronavirus.gov.hk) for more information.
Among the specimens received by the DH's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch during September 27 to October 3 for verification testing of local cases, about 2.6 per cent and 92.9 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, October 6, a total of 9 987 death cases that had tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus during the fifth wave (since December 31, 2021) were recorded, with 9 902 and 82 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 10 200 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 (October 5), the total number of confirmed cases was 417 221, while the figures for asymptomatic cases, re-positive cases and pending/unknown cases recorded since January 1 were 296 816, 31 and 242 337 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).
Follow this news feed: East Asia