A mask-wearing man walks his dog in Repulse Bay, Hong Kong after storm clears up on the evening of Aug 8, 2022. (PHOTO/CHINA DAILY)

HONG KONG – Hong Kong's daily COVID-19 infection caseload topped 5,000 again on Saturday, the first time since Aug 5, as three more patients passed away.

Chuang Shuk-kwan, head of the communicable disease branch of the Centre for Health Protection, said at a news briefing that there were 5,308 new cases, including 160 imported ones.

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Among those in a critical condition is a five 5-year-9 month-old girl. She developed a fever and tested positive for COVID-19 via rapid antigen test on Friday evening

Of the 160 imported cases, 26 were confirmed at the airport, 95 at quarantine hotels, and 39 after they had finished their quarantine and got tested.

Gladys Kwan, Chief Manager (Clinical Effectiveness and Technology management) of the Hospital Authority, said in the same briefing that three more patients aged 85 to 91 had passed away, bringing the tally during the fifth wave of the COVID-19 to 9,349.

She also said 32 COVID-19 patients are in critical condition at public hospitals, including 11 in intensive care units, while 25 patients are in serious condition.

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Among those in a critical condition is a five 5-year-9 month-old girl. She developed a fever and tested positive for COVID-19 via rapid antigen test on Friday evening. Her condition deteriorated rapidly after being admitted to Tuen Mun Hospital and is currently receiving treatment at the pediatric intensive care unit.

"The girl has not been vaccinated. It is suspected that she might have developed encephalitis," Kwan said.

She again called on members of the public, including young children, to be vaccinated as soon as possible. 

The government announced earlier this month that children as young as six months could receive a Sinovac jab from Aug 4.