People are seen at a Lunar New Year market in Hong Kong on Jan 20, 2023.
(ISAAC LAWRENCE / AFP)
HONG KONG – Hong Kong reported 2,271 new COVID-19 cases on Monday while 49 more patients passed away, health authorities said.
The Centre for Health Protection said in a statement that the new cases comprised 2,230 local infections and 41 imported cases.
The 49 new reported deaths brought the territory’s toll during the current fifth wave of infections to 12,954
Hong Kong reported 2,737 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday, down from 3,507 on Saturday, 3,789 on Friday, and 4,015 on Thursday.
The 49 new reported deaths brought the territory’s toll during the current fifth wave of infections to 12,954, the CHP added.
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Twelve residential care homes for the elderly and persons with disabilities reported 24 cases, involving 22 residents and two staff members.
As of Monday, the Public Health Laboratory Services Branch had detected 227 cases of sub-lineage XBB, 40 of BQ.1.1, 14 of BF.7, eight of BA.2.75.2, seven of BA.4.6, six of XBD, and one of XBB.1.5 among imported cases.
There were also 215 cases of BQ.1.1, 196 of XBB, 43 of BF.7, 18 of XBD, eight of XBB.1.5, and one of BA.2.75.2 found among local cases, the CHP said.
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The CHP added that 38 percent of new specimens verified by the PHLSB were linked to the BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron subvariants.