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 cases drop for the fifth consecutive day to 9,279 on Wednesday as 67 new reported deaths brought the city’s toll during the fifth wave to 12,335.
The new cases included 9,017 local infections and 262 imported cases, the Centre for Health Protection said in a statement. The city logged 9,379 on Tuesday, 11,641 on Monday, 14,113 on Sunday, 15,850 on Saturday, and 19,772 the day before.
The Centre for Health Protection said 14 care homes for the elderly and persons with disabilities recorded 18 new infections involving 15 residents and three employees
The CHP said 14 care homes for the elderly and persons with disabilities recorded 18 new infections involving 15 residents and three employees.
As of noon on Jan 11, a total of 620 schools reported that 937 students and 155 staff members tested positive for the coronavirus.
Between Oct 10, 2022 and Jan 11, 2023, the DH’s Public Health Laboratory Services Branch (PHLSB) had identified eight cases of BA2.75.2; seven of BA.4.6; 13 of BF.7; 38 of BQ1.1; 227 of XBB (including one involving XBB.1.5); and six of XBD among imported cases linked with mutant strains.
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Among local cases, one case of BA2.75.2; 30 of BF.7; 201 of BQ1.1; 176 of XBB; and 18 of XBD were also detected.
From Jan 2-8, 2023, some 47.9 percent of COVID cases verified by the PHLSB were related to the BA.4 or BA.5 Omicron subvariant.