CHP investigates locally acquired SARS-CoV-2 virus cases with 2 797 cases tested positive by nucleic acid tests and 12 164 cases by RATs as well as 813 imported cases
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Separately, 813 additional imported cases were reported, including 710 cases that tested positive by nucleic acid tests (135 confirmed cases, 528 asymptomatic cases and 47 cases with pending status) and 103 cases that tested positive by RATs. Among the additional imported cases, 462 of them involved samples at the airport, 290 of them involved samples during Day 1 to Day 3, and the remaining 61 involved samples during Day 4 to Day 7.
Hong Kong has recorded a total of 1 108 246 and 1 230 651 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, December 17, the DH's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch (PHLSB) had identified 226 cases of sub-lineage XBB, six of XBD, eight of BA.2.75.2, seven of BA.4.6, 13 of BF.7 and 38 of BQ.1.1 among imported cases in Hong Kong, while 142 cases of sub-lineage XBB, 18 of XBD, one of BA.2.75.2, nine of BF.7 and 166 of BQ.1.1 have also been detected among local cases.
Among the specimens received by the DH's PHLSB during December 8 to 14 for verification testing of local cases, 0 per cent and about 55.69 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, December 17, a total of 10 918 death cases that had tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus during the fifth wave (since December 31, 2021) were recorded, with 10 817 and 97 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 11 131 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 (December 16), the total number of confirmed cases was 482 949, while the figures for asymptomatic cases, re-positive cases and pending/unknown cases recorded since January 1 were 372 699, 31 and 249 060 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/Saturday, December 17, 2022
Issued at HKT 17:00
Issued at HKT 17:00
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