The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (October 10) announced the latest epidemic situation of COVID-19. As of 0.00am, October 10, the CHP was investigating 4 478 additional locally acquired cases that tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, comprising 1 172 cases that tested positive by nucleic acid tests (572 confirmed cases, 500 asymptomatic cases and 100 cases with pending status) and 3 306 cases that tested positive by rapid antigen tests (RATs) in the past 24 hours.

     Separately, 396 additional imported cases were reported, including 357 cases that tested positive by nucleic acid tests (58 confirmed cases, 273 asymptomatic cases and 26 cases with pending status) and 39 cases that tested positive by RATs.

     Hong Kong has recorded a total of 963 585 and 843 103 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.
     
     Also, the CHP has been closely monitoring the situation of imported cases involving mutant strains by genetic analysis. As of 0.00am, October 10, one case of sub-lineage BA.2.75.2 and one case of sub-lineage XBB.1 have been identified by the DH's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch (PHLSB) among imported cases. Both cases are asymptomatic.

     Among the specimens received by the DH's PHLSB during October 1 to 7 for verification testing of local cases, about 1.6 per cent and 93.9 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, October 10, a total of 10 015 death cases that had tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus during the fifth wave (since December 31, 2021) were recorded, with 9 930 and 82 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 10 228 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 (October 9), the total number of confirmed cases was 419 652, while the figures for asymptomatic cases, re-positive cases and pending/unknown cases recorded since January 1 were 299 661, 31 and 242 712 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).

Ends/Monday, October 10, 2022
Issued at HKT 18:00

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