Public hospitals daily update on COVID-19 cases
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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

      A 31-month-old boy, who is staying in the paediatric intensive care unit of Queen Elizabeth Hospital, is still in critical condition. Healthcare staff members are providing appropriate treatment for the boy.
 
     Starting from the fifth wave of the epidemic, nine children under 11 years who tested positive for COVID-19 have passed away. Eleven critical paediatric patients have stayed in paediatric intensive care units of public hospitals in the past two months.
 
     The Hospital Authority (HA) urges parents to arrange for their children who have not been vaccinated against COVID-19 to receive vaccination immediately. The vaccination rate for children under 3 who received two doses of vaccine is only around 9 per cent at present. "COVID-19 vaccine can reduce the risk of acute complications, serious illness and death after children get infected, as well as reduce mid- or long-term after-effects after their recovery. As the influenza season approaches, we are worried children will develop serious conditions if infected with both influenza and COVID-19. Parents should arrange for their children to receive seasonal influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations as soon as possible," said HA Co-Chairman of the Coordinating Committee in Paediatrics Dr Alan So.
 
     Moreover, as at 0.00am today (October 19), a total of 1 824 patients who tested positive for COVID-19 are currently hospitalised for treatment, including 241 new patients. Among the patients staying in isolation facilities, 443 patients are in isolation wards, 133 patients are in second-tier isolation wards, 482 patients are in the North Lantau Hospital Hong Kong Infection Control Centre, of which 158 in total are new patients. Around 10 per cent of the inpatients require oxygen therapy or ventilator support. There are four newly reported critical patients and five newly reported serious patients. There are a total of 22 patients in critical condition, and 29 are in serious condition, of which six critical patients are receiving intensive care. Moreover, there are 241 patients who have recovered, including 209 patients who have been discharged. In addition, 12 patients who passed away in public hospitals were reported.
 
     In the fifth wave of the epidemic, there are 76 814 patients who have recovered so far, including 76 473 patients who have been discharged. And since early 2020, there are 89 194 patients who have recovered, including 88 853 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/Wednesday, October 19, 2022
Issued at HKT 19:30

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