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.

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. 

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 patients. Among the patients staying in isolation facilities, 512 patients are in isolation wards, 146 patients are in second-tier isolation wards and 608 patients are in the North Lantau Hospital Hong Kong Infection Control Centre, of which 206 in total are new patients. There are six newly reported critical patients and six newly reported serious patients. There are a total of 36 patients in critical condition and 25 are in serious condition, of which 10 critical patients are receiving intensive care. Moreover, there are 237 patients who have recovered, including 206 patients who have been discharged. In addition, eight patients who passed away in public hospitals were reported.

     In the fifth wave of the epidemic, there are 59 333 patients who have recovered so far, including 59 034 patients who have been discharged. And since early 2020, there are 71 713 patients who have recovered, including 71 414 patients who have been discharged.

     The Hospital Authority 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 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 districts, and had detected positive results in some areas, indicating that there may be hidden cases in the premises within these areas.

Rapid test

     As regards positive sewage testing results with relatively high viral loads in the following areas, the Housing Department and the respective District Offices will commence distributing about 270 000 sets of the COVID-19 rapid antigen test (RAT) kits to residents, cleaning workers and property management staff working in the following areas for them to take the test on their own, in order to help identify infected persons:
 

• Central and Western District – Residential premises around Tai Ping Shan Street, Upper Station Street, Tung Street and Sai Street (see Annex)
• Tai Po District – Kwong Fuk Estate, Yat Nga Court, Elegance Garden, Uptown Plaza, King Nga Court, Sheung Wun Yiu, Ha Wun Yiu, Pan Chung San Tsuen, Tai Po Pan Chung, Fu Shin Estate and Wang Fuk Court
• Wong Tai Sin District – Shatin Pass Estate, Fu Keung Court, Kai Tak Garden, Tsz Oi Court Stage I and II, Tsz Oi Court Stage III, Chuk Yuen North Estate, Ying Fuk Court, Tropicana Gardens, Hsin Kuang Centre, The Forest Hills and residential premises around Fung Tak Road and Fei Fung Street (see Annex)

     Members of the public may refer to (www.coronavirus.gov.hk/rat/eng/rat.html) for enquiries relating to the use of the RAT kits.

     When using an RAT kit, please pay attention to and follow the instructions from the manufacturer to perform the test and read the result properly. It is advisable to record the displayed result by taking a photo immediately after reading. Users should wash their hands before and after performing the tests, and avoid placing non-essential items within the specimen collection area. After completing the test, wrap and seal all components of the test kit carefully and dispose of them properly. If the household environment is contaminated during the specimen collecting process, disinfection should be conducted with 1 in 49 diluted bleach solution or 70 per cent alcohol.

     People who obtained a positive result through an RAT for the first time can report via the online platform "Declaration System for individuals tested positive for COVID-19 using Rapid Antigen Test" (www.chp.gov.hk/ratp). If individuals encounter difficulties using the online platform, they can call the automated system at 183 6119 to register their identification document and telephone number. The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health will contact the relevant person later to finish the report procedure.