A nurse (center) walks through a temporary center for patients set up outside the Caritas Medical Centre in Hong Kong on Feb 16, 2022, as the city fought its worst COVID-19 wave to date. (PETER PARKS / AFP)
HONG KONG – Hong Kong saw its number of new COVID-19 infections drop to 11,641 on Monday, while 64 patients passed away, health authorities said.
The new cases consisted of 11,318 locally acquired infections and 323 imported cases, the city’s Centre for Health Protection (CHP) said in a statement.
The latest 64 COVID related deaths have brought the city’s toll since the pandemic began here to 12,406, including 12,193 during the current fifth wave of infections, according to the Centre for Health Protection
Monday was the third consecutive day that the number of new cases decreased in the city. Hong Kong reported 14,113 new infections on Sunday, 15,850 on Saturday, and 19,772 the day before.
The latest 64 COVID related deaths have brought the city’s toll since the pandemic began here to 12,406, including 12,193 during the current fifth wave of infections, according to the CHP.
Across the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, 16 residential care homes for the elderly and persons with disabilities recorded 21 infections, all involving residents.
ALSO READ: COVID: HK sees slight decrease with 14,113 new cases, 66 deaths
The CHP said 908 schools reported 2,668 COVID infections, affecting 2,294 students and 374 staff members.
From Oct 10, 2022 to Jan 9, 2023, Hong Kong detected a total of 299 imported cases involving mutant strains. Eight were linked with BA2.75.2, seven with BA.4.6, 13 with BF.7, 38 with BQ1.1, 227 with XBB – including one with XBB.1.5, and six with XBD.
Among 417 local cases involving mutant strains, one was linked with BA2.75.2, 27 with BF.7, 198 with BQ1.1, 173 with XBB, and 18 with XBD.
Between Dec 31, 2022 and Jan 6, 2023, about 49.56 percent of verified COVID cases were related to the BA.4 or BA.5 Omicron sub-variant.