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| Dr Chuang Shuk-kwan and Dr. Linda Yu of the Centre for Health Protection during today's press conference. |
A record rise of 133 new confirmed Covid-19 case was reported
today, Jul 25, by Hong Kong’s health officials, raising the total tally to
2,506.
It was the fourth consecutive day of record increases
in the number of infected patients, and there is no indication the surge will
end soon.
According to Dr Chuang Shuk-kwan of the Centre for
Health Protection, more than 100 preliminary positive cases have been listed
since the cut-off time of midnight on Friday, or over a 15-hour period.
Despite the mounting number of cases, Chief Executive
Carrie Lam has dismissed reports that she is planning to impose a lockdown or
stay-at-home order, calling them “fake news” or “malicious rumours” in a
Facebook post today.
She said such measures are far-reaching and should be
handled very carefully, adding that there are still other measures that could
be taken to stop people going out, such as closing down some premises.
"We should take into
account Hong Kong’s actual situation and unless there is really no other
choice, we will not adopt such extreme measures," she wrote.
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Meanwhile, two more elderly patients passed away
within the past 24 hours, raising the total death toll to 18.
The first was an 84-year-old male patient with good
past health, who passed away at 4am today at Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern
Hospital. He was initially admitted at United Christian Hospital on Jul 16 due
to severe pneumonia, and was transferred to PYNEH in serious condition two days
later.
The latest fatality was a 60-year-old man with a heart
condition who passed away at 1:08pm today at Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
Seven new imported cases were also reported today,
including three recent arrivals from the Philippines. The four others flew in
from India: two are seafarers, the other two are cargo plane pilots.
Of the local cases, 71 were linked to previous cases,
with about 50 of them getting infected by family or household members. The rest
got the virus from meal gatherings or workplaces, and the latest, a residential
dormitory at Hong Kong University.
Dr Chuang said one student who lives at the HKU
university hall was found infected, and another tested preliminary positive.
Another student is seeking medical treatment and may likewise be infected.
Between 10-20 students who live in the said dormitory
will be put under quarantine.
Also among today’s cases were three firefighters from
Tsing Yi South Fire Station, where about two dozen people work.
There was also another confirmed case, and six
preliminary positive cases among residents and staff at an elderly care home in
Tuen Mun.
And in another elderly home in Tai Wai, two staff
members have tested positive, following the reported infection of four
residents.
Another place noted by Chuang was Fulum Restaurant in
Tuen Mun Central Square, where she said an additional three cases were
reported.
Two, including a taxi driver, attended a big birthday
banquet there, along with several people who tested positive earlier. The other
one just went there with a friend to eat.
Another taxi driver who gave a saliva sample to one of
collections points set up across the city, is also among the new cases.
Also among the cases was a staff at a Wanchai restaurant,
and a vendor at the Sai Ying Pun wet market.
Dr Linda Yu of the Hospital Authority said there are
currently 635 Covid-19 patients admitted in 14 public hospitals. Of these, 27
are in critical condition, and 18 are in serious condition. The rest are stable.
