CHP investigates locally acquired SARS-CoV-2 virus cases with 1 489 cases tested positive by nucleic acid tests and 5 016 cases by RATs as well as 634 imported cases
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Separately, 634 additional imported cases were reported, comprising 581 cases that tested positive by nucleic acid tests (132 confirmed cases, 423 asymptomatic cases and 26 cases with pending status) and 53 cases that tested positive by RATs. Among the additional imported cases, 404 of them involved samples at the airport, 139 involved samples during Day 1 to Day 3, and the remaining 91 involved samples during Day 4 to Day 7.
Hong Kong has recorded a total of 1 035 640 and 1 015 466 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 positive cases involving mutant strains by genetic analysis. As of 0.00am, November 22, the DH's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch (PHLSB) had identified 224 cases of sub-lineage XBB, six of XBD, eight of BA.2.75.2, seven of BA.4.6, 12 of BF.7 and 34 of BQ.1.1 among imported cases in Hong Kong, while 62 cases of sub-lineage XBB, 16 of XBD, one of BA.2.75.2, one of BF.7 and 70 of BQ.1.1 have also been detected among local cases.
Among the specimens received by the DH's PHLSB during November 13 to 19 for verification testing of local cases, 0 per cent and about 78.8 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, November 22, a total of 10 410 death cases that had tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus during the fifth wave (since December 31, 2021) were recorded, with 10 320 and 86 deaths reported from the Hospital Authority and public mortuaries respectively as well as four deaths reported from private hospitals. Hong Kong has so far recorded a total of 10 623 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) that were changed to confirmed, asymptomatic or re-positive cases. As of yesterday (November 21), the total number of confirmed cases was 450 544, while the figures for asymptomatic cases, re-positive cases and pending/unknown cases recorded since January 1 were 337 130, 31 and 245 865 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 complying 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/Tuesday, November 22, 2022
Issued at HKT 16:35
Issued at HKT 16:35
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