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     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (August 28) announced the latest epidemic situation of COVID-19. As of 0.00am, August 28, the CHP was investigating 9 495 additional locally acquired cases that tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, comprising 2 930 cases that tested positive by nucleic acid tests (1 293 confirmed cases, 1 297 asymptomatic cases and 340 cases with pending status) and 6 565 cases that tested positive by rapid antigen tests (RATs) verified in the past 24 hours.

     Separately, 213 additional imported cases were reported, including 186 cases that tested positive by nucleic acid tests (10 confirmed cases, 134 asymptomatic cases and 42 cases with pending status) and 27 cases that tested positive by RATs.

     Hong Kong has recorded a total of 878 592 and 635 380 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 “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 August 19 to 25 for verification testing of local cases, about 8.0 per cent and 43.8 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, August 28, a total of 9 451 death cases that had tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus during the fifth wave (since December 31, 2021) were recorded, with 9 370 and 78 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 9 664 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 (August 27), the total number of confirmed cases was 380 339, while the figures for asymptomatic cases, re-positive cases and pending/unknown cases recorded since January 1 were 256 918, 31 and 238 188 respectively.

     The spokesman for the CHP stressed that the local situation of COVID-19 infection is severe with the number of cases tested positive growing at an increased pace. The CHP strongly appeals to the community to strictly comply with social distancing measures and refrain from participating in unnecessary or crowded activities or mass gatherings. This would lower the risk of infection and prevent the virus from spreading in the community.

     â€‹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, 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. read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Judiciary:
 
Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:
 
Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at suitable intervals:
 
     As Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 has been cancelled, the Judiciary has announced that all hearings of the courts and tribunals will be resumed/ held as scheduled this afternoon (August 25). 
 
     Those who were due to attend court hearings this morning, including the jurors, should do so at 2.30pm today.
 
     Those who have been summoned for jury empanelment in the High Court this morning are not required to attend court until further notice in writing. 
 
     As for those who have been summoned for jury empanelment in the Coroner’s Court this morning, they are required to appear in court at 2.30pm today. 

     Court/tribunal registries and offices will open at 11.20am today. Before that, while court users may use the integrated Court Case Management System (iCMS) for electronic services provided by the District Court registry as usual, any documents filed via the iCMS during the registry’s closure period will be deemed to have been received upon its re-opening at 11.20am.
 
     It is anticipated that there will be a significant number of people going to the courts. In particular, for the High Court and West Kowloon Law Courts Building, given the need for security screening, court users are advised to arrive at the court building earlier to allow time for screening, particularly during the peak hours after the lunch break.  read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:      â€‹As at 0.00am today (August 19), a total of 1 898 patients who tested positive for COVID-19 are currently hospitalised for treatment, including 258 new pati… read more

     The Government announced today (August 10) 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 all di… read more