By The SUN
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| CE Lam says further relaxation of restrictions is not likely |
Chief Executive Carrie Lam has said that because of the Covid-19 outbreaks in two bars in Central recently, the planned third phase of relaxation of social distancing measures may not push through in late June.
She made the statement just before attending the Executive Council session earlier today, May 31. Health officials later announced that 14 new cases were added to the cluster outbreaks at Zentral and Iron Fairies bars, raising the overall tally to 59.
The total number of cases reported for the day went up slightly to 329, which included 35 imported cases.
“As things now stand, we are in a sort of stagnant situation, with the daily number of positive-tested cases staying at around 200 and 300 cases, including local infections as well as imported cases,” said CE Lam.
“But there have already been over 10 such infection clusters in the community, especially the two most recent cases involving bars. So, we will have to take a very prudent approach, and my position at this moment is we probably will not introduce the third and final stage of the social distancing relaxation before the end of June.”
The final phase would have seen the removal of the remaining restrictions on bars and other venues considered as high risk, such as increasing their customer intake from 85% to 100%, and allowing dancing and live performances.
CE Lam said the outbreaks took place because some people did not follow anti-epidemic measures, such as not wearing masks while dancing or doing other performance activities.
Health officials said initial investigations showed the infected customers at the two bars did not wear masks while talking and dancing. Both bars also admitted about 700 customers during the evening performances on May 21, although their full capacity should have been 300.
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| Chuang says about 100 patrons of each club have yet to be tested |
Dr Chuang Shuk-kwan of the Centre for Health Protection said
that four new cases were added to the cluster in Zentral bar, which is located
in
Another 10 cases were added to the outbreak in Iron Fairies
bar in
“More than half of them have symptoms,” said Chuang.
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| PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE |
She also said that of the 700 customers who had entered each bar using the LeaveHomeSafe app, about 100 in each place have yet to comply with the compulsory testing notice.
Meanwhile, 27 new cases were reported at 24 schools today. Chuang said one of the schools had a class with special needs, and two staff members there and one student tested positive a few days ago.
One more case involving a teaching staff was added today. But since the last day of school was on May 26, it’s believed the outbreak has been stopped.
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| HOW? PINDUTIN LANG ANG PICTURE |
Of the imported cases, 19 were detected on arrival at
Six more cases involving Omicron sub-variant BA.2.12.1 were detected from previously reported cases, and one of them involved a local transmission.
Chuang said the patient works in the warehouse at the HK Convention and Exhibition Centre, and had been to the staff canteen at the same time as two previously diagnosed workers, who also carried the sub-variant.
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Their infection was traced to the spread of the sub-variant at McDonald’s in Taikoo Shing.
A total of 78 cases involving the highly transmissible
Omicron sub-variant have so far been detected in
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No new Covid-related death was reported, so the death toll in the fifth wave of the pandemic remains at 9,165 with the mortality rate at 0.764%.
Dr. Gladys Kwan of the Hospital Authority said 419 patients are still receiving treatment in hospitals while 46 have been discharged.
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Of those still in hospital, 10 are in critical condition and eight are seriously ill. Five patients are in intensive care.
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| PADALA NA! |
