CHP investigates locally acquired SARS-CoV-2 virus cases with 1 152 cases tested positive by nucleic acid tests and 3 168 cases by RATs as well as 446 imported cases
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Separately, 446 additional imported cases were reported, including 416 cases that tested positive by nucleic acid tests (83 confirmed cases, 319 asymptomatic cases and 14 cases with pending status) and 30 cases that tested positive by RATs. Among the additional imported cases, 299 of them involved samples at the airport, 88 of them involved samples during Day 1 to Day 3, and the remaining 59 involved samples during Day 4 to Day 7.
Hong Kong has recorded a total of 998 199 and 920 509 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 31, the DH's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch (PHLSB) had identified 202 cases of sub-lineage XBB, six of XBD, eight of BA.2.75.2, six of BA.4.6, 11 of BF.7 and 22 of BQ.1.1 among imported cases in Hong Kong, while six cases of sub-lineage XBD, one of BA.2.75.2 and seven of BQ.1.1 have also been detected among local cases.
Among the specimens received by the DH's PHLSB during October 22 to 28 for verification testing of local cases, about 0.1 per cent and 91.5 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 31, a total of 10 184 death cases that had tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus during the fifth wave (since December 31, 2021) were recorded, with 10 098 and 83 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 10 397 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 30), the total number of confirmed cases was 434 385, while the figures for asymptomatic cases, re-positive cases and pending/unknown cases recorded since January 1 were 317 953, 31 and 244 262 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 31, 2022
Issued at HKT 16:20
Issued at HKT 16:20
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