The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     As at 0.00am today (May 19), a total of 601 patients who tested positive for COVID-19 are currently hospitalised for treatment, including 69 new patients. Among the patients staying in isolation facilities, 107 patients are in isolation wards, 21 patients are in second-tier isolation wards and 47 patients are in the North Lantau Hospital Hong Kong Infection Control Centre, of which 19 in total are new patients. The rest of the confirmed patients are hospitalised or readmitted due to other medical reasons. Those patients have recovered and are non-infectious, and therefore do not need to be treated in isolation facilities. Among the hospitalised patients, 11 of them are in critical condition and 15 are in serious condition, of which four critical patients are receiving intensive care. There were 105 patients who have recovered, including 74 patients who have been discharged. In addition, a patient who passed away in a public hospital was reported.

     In the fifth wave of the epidemic, there are 49 611 patients who have recovered so far, including 49 222 patients who have been discharged. And since early 2020, there are 61 991 patients who have recovered, including 61 602 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.

Ends/Thursday, May 19, 2022
Issued at HKT 19:30

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