The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (October 27) announced the latest epidemic situation of COVID-19. As of 0.00am, October 27, the CHP was investigating 5 687 additional locally acquired cases that tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, comprising 1 472 cases that tested positive by nucleic acid tests (688 confirmed cases, 634 asymptomatic cases and 150 cases with pending status) and 4 215 cases that tested positive by rapid antigen tests (RATs) in the past 24 hours.

     Separately, 375 additional imported cases were reported, including 359 cases that tested positive by nucleic acid tests (68 confirmed cases, 261 asymptomatic cases and 30 cases with pending status) and 16 cases that tested positive by RATs. Among the additional imported cases, 219 of them involved samples at the airport, 111 of them involved samples during Day 1 to Day 3, and the remaining 45 involved samples during Day 4 to Day 7.

     Hong Kong has recorded a total of 991 501 and 906 192 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.
 
     The CHP has been closely monitoring the situation of tested positive cases involving mutant strains by genetic analysis. As of 0.00am, October 27, the DH's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch (PHLSB) had identified 182 cases of sub-lineage XBB, six of XBD, six of BA.2.75.2, five of BA.4.6, 11 of BF.7 and 16 of BQ.1.1 among imported cases in Hong Kong, while six cases of sub-lineage XBD, one of BA.2.75.2 and four of BQ.1.1 have also been detected among local cases.

     Among the specimens received by the DH's PHLSB during October 18 to 24 for verification testing of local cases, about 0.1 per cent and 91.6 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 27, a total of 10 145 death cases that had tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus during the fifth wave (since December 31, 2021) were recorded, with 10 060 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 10 358 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 26), the total number of confirmed cases was 431 431, while the figures for asymptomatic cases, re-positive cases and pending/unknown cases recorded since January 1 were 314 213, 31 and 243 995 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/Thursday, October 27, 2022
Issued at HKT 16:15

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