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Experts say Covid tally could hit 4 digits, as 737 infections detected

13 June 2022

By The SUN 

Ho says the surge in cases is still part of the fifth wave of infections (File)

A health expert advising the government on its Covid-19 response says the daily caseload could reach four digits by the end of the month due to residual infections from the fifth wave.

Director of Hong Kong University’s Centre for Infection Dr Ho Pak-leung made the statement on a radio program earlier today, as health officials reported 737 new Covid cases.

Ho said the recent rebound in cases is still part of the ongoing infection wave because no new variants are involved. While the daily caseload could rise some more, people need not worry as long as the city’s vaccination targets are met, he added.

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

The last time Hong Kong's daily infection tally hit the thousand-mark was on Apr 14, when 1,043 cases were posted.

Ho's forecast was supported by Dr Albert Ho of the Centre for Health Protection who noted at today’s press briefing that the daily tally has gone up considerably to around 800 in the past few days from between 200 to 300 two weeks ago.

He said the government continues to monitor the situation but there has been no great cause for worry since most of those who test positive are either asymptomatic or have mild symptoms.

"The most important thing is we have to ensure there is no increase, or we need to monitor the trend of severe diseases, hospitalisation and the number of deaths. So far, we haven't noted a continuous increase in these parameters," he said.

Of the new cases, 305 were confirmed through PCR tests while the remaining 432 were from self-reported rapid test results that were confirmed by laboratories.

The number of imported cases continues to be on the high side, with 104 new ones being reported. Among these, 54 were detected at the airport, 41 at quarantine hotels and nine post-isolation.

Schools reported 272 new cases, the biggest local cluster, involving 216 students and 59 staff from 193 campuses. The bulk of the infections, or 220 of the cases, were positive results reported today.

Small outbreaks were reported in four of the schools, prompting officials to order the suspension of affected classes for a week.

The schools affected are Tsang Mui Millennium School in Sheung Shui, Deborah Anglo Chinese Kindergarten (Site 2 Whampoa Garden) in Hung Hom, Kin Sang Baptist Church Bradbury Pre-school in Tuen Mun and International College Hong Kong in the North District.

Previous clusters also added more cases, including one at 4B at Po Leung Kuk English Primary School; and two each at Joyful World Kindergarten and Pooi To Primary School in Ma Tau Wai.

Two Covid-stricken bars also added more infections. Racks City in Central has three additional cases, rounding up the tally there at 21; while FLM in Sheung Wan now has 24 cases after seven more infections were reported.

The new cases also include two female cleaners at Regala Skycity Hotel, where a room attendant had earlier tested positive for Covid; and three workers at the Central-Kowloon Route construction site in Ho Man.

Five residents at Fu Hong Society Yuet Kwan Home in Aberdeen also caught the virus, prompting the evacuation of 36 other people living there. They will be required to undergo quarantine at AsiaWorld-Expo.

Meanwhile, genomic sequencing showed 21 more patients carrying the Omicron sub-variant BA.2.12.1 cases. They comprise 19 local infections and two imported cases. Twelve of them have no links to previous cases.

In addition, six new cases were detected carrying BA.4 and BA.5 sub-variants. Four of the cases are imported and two are local.

No new deaths were reported on Sunday so the tally remains at 9,177. 

Currently 371 patients are being treated in public hospitals and the North Lantau infection control centre. Among them, 15 are in critical condition and seven are serious.

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