The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (September 22) announced the latest epidemic situation of COVID-19. As of 0.00am, September 22, the CHP was investigating 5 827 additional locally acquired cases that tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, comprising 1 466 cases that tested positive by nucleic acid tests (619 confirmed cases, 700 asymptomatic cases and 147 cases with pending status) and 4 361 cases that tested positive by rapid antigen tests (RATs) in the past 24 hours.

     Separately, 163 additional imported cases were reported, including 149 cases that tested positive by nucleic acid tests (17 confirmed cases, 68 asymptomatic cases and 64 cases with pending status) and 14 cases that tested positive by RATs.

     Hong Kong has recorded a total of 940 524 and 790 502 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 September 13 to 19 for verification testing of local cases, about 3.5 per cent and 83.8 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, September 22, a total of 9 721 death cases that had tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus during the fifth wave (since December 31, 2021) were recorded, with 9 637 and 81 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 9 934 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 (September 21), the total number of confirmed cases was 408 859, while the figures for asymptomatic cases, re-positive cases and pending/unknown cases recorded since January 1 were 288 483, 31 and 241 536 respectively.

     The local situation of COVID-19 infection is still severe, 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.

     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 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).

Ends/Thursday, September 22, 2022
Issued at HKT 18:52

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