CHP investigates locally acquired SARS-CoV-2 virus cases with 1 487 cases tested positive by nucleic acid tests and 6 072 cases by RATs as well as 501 imported cases

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (November 19) announced the latest epidemic situation of COVID-19. As of 0.00am, November 19, the CHP was investigating 7 559 additional locally acquired cases that tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, comprising 1 487 cases that tested positive by nucleic acid tests (567 confirmed cases, 692 asymptomatic cases and 228 cases with pending status) and 6 072 cases that tested positive by rapid antigen tests (RATs) in the past 24 hours.

     Separately, 501 additional imported cases were reported, comprising 413 cases that tested positive by nucleic acid tests (85 confirmed cases, 275 asymptomatic cases and 53 cases with pending status) and 88 cases that tested positive by RATs. Among the additional imported cases, 241 of them involved samples at the airport, 173 involved samples during Day 1 to Day 3, and the remaining 87 involved samples during Day 4 to Day 7.

     Hong Kong has recorded a total of 1 029 614 and 999 331 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, November 19, the DH's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch (PHLSB) had identified 223 cases of sub-lineage XBB, six of XBD, eight of BA.2.75.2, seven of BA.4.6, 12 of BF.7 and 34 of BQ.1.1 among imported cases in Hong Kong, while 50 cases of sub-lineage XBB, 16 of XBD, one of BA.2.75.2, one of BF.7 and 64 of BQ.1.1 have also been detected among local cases.

     Among the specimens received by the DH's PHLSB during November 10 to 16 for verification testing of local cases, 0 per cent and about 82.1 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, November 19, a total of 10 373 death cases that had tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus during the fifth wave (since December 31, 2021) were recorded, with 10 283 and 86 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 10 586 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 (November 18), the total number of confirmed cases was 448 019, while the figures for asymptomatic cases, re-positive cases and pending/unknown cases recorded since January 1 were 334 163, 31 and 245 501 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).