CHP investigates locally acquired SARS-CoV-2 virus cases with 1 614 cases tested positive by nucleic acid tests and 6 751 cases by RATs as well as 509 imported cases
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     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (November 26) announced the latest epidemic situation of COVID-19. As of 0.00am, November 26, the CHP was investigating 8 365 additional locally acquired cases that tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, comprising 1 614 cases that tested positive by nucleic acid tests (818 confirmed cases, 579 asymptomatic cases and 217 cases with pending status) and 6 751 cases that tested positive by rapid antigen tests (RATs) in the past 24 hours.

     Separately, 509 additional imported cases were reported, comprising 423 cases that tested positive by nucleic acid tests (67 confirmed cases, 316 asymptomatic cases and 40 cases with pending status) and 86 cases that tested positive by RATs. Among the additional imported cases, 278 of them involved samples at the airport, 168 involved samples during Day 1 to Day 3, and the remaining 63 involved samples during Day 4 to Day 7.

     Hong Kong has recorded a total of 1 044 576 and 1 041 486 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 26, 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 80 cases of sub-lineage XBB, 16 of XBD, one of BA.2.75.2, two of BF.7 and 102 of BQ.1.1 have also been detected among local cases.

     Among the specimens received by the DH's PHLSB during November 17 to 23 for verification testing of local cases, 0 per cent and about 75.3 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 26, a total of 10 459 death cases that had tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus during the fifth wave (since December 31, 2021) were recorded, with 10 367 and 88 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 10 672 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 25), the total number of confirmed cases was 454 548, while the figures for asymptomatic cases, re-positive cases and pending/unknown cases recorded since January 1 were 341 738, 31 and 246 222 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/Saturday, November 26, 2022
Issued at HKT 16:30

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