Shoppers walk through a market street in Kowloon district of Hong Kong, on Dec 4, 2022. (PETER PARKS / AFP)
HONG KONG – Hong Kong saw 9,487 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday, a slight decrease from the 10,111 infections on Saturday, while 16 more patients passed away.
In a statement, the Centre for Health Protection said the new cases included 8,830 local infections and 657 imported cases. The 16 reported deaths brought the city’s toll during the fifth wave of infections to 10,593.
A Hospital Authority spokesman said HA Cluster Chief Executive of the Kowloon East Cluster Deacons Yeung has tested positive for COVID-19 by rapid antigen test
The CHP said 14 residential care homes for the elderly and persons with disabilities had 39 new cases while two secondary schools each had to suspend one in-person class for a week due to infections.
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As of Sunday, Public Health Laboratory Services Branch had identified 225 cases of sub-lineage XBB, six of XBD, eight of BA.2.75.2, seven of BA.4.6, 13 of BF.7 and 36 of BQ.1.1 among imported cases in Hong Kong.
On the other hand, 104 cases of sub-lineage XBB, 18 of XBD, one of BA.2.75.2, four of BF.7 and 121 of BQ.1.1 had been detected among local cases.
The CHP added that 71.32 percent of new cases verified from Nov 25 to Dec 1 were linked to the BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron subvariants.
Meanwhile, a Hospital Authority spokesman said HA Cluster Chief Executive of the Kowloon East Cluster Deacons Yeung has tested positive for COVID-19 by rapid antigen test.
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Yeung, who is undergoing isolation, wore masks and followed infection control measures at work. He has no recent travel history and last went to work on Friday, the spokesman added.