People walk inside the Convention and Exhibition Centre in Hong Kong on Oct 3, 2022. (PETER PARKS / AFP)
HONG KONG – Hong Kong reported 3,529 new COVID-19 cases on Monday as three more infected persons passed away, bringing the city's toll during the fifth wave to 9,963.
In a statement issued on Monday afternoon, the Centre for Health Protection said the new cases comprised 343 imported infections and 3,186 local cases. Monday’s figure is slightly lower than the 3,569 cases reported yesterday.
Those linked to the Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5 accounted for 89.7 percent of local cases confirmed from Sept 24 to 30, the CHP said
Those linked to the Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5 accounted for 89.7 percent of local cases confirmed from Sept 24 to 30, the CHP said.
It appealed to residents to strictly comply with social distancing measures and get vaccinated, noting that COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective in preventing severe cases and deaths among those infected.
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In a separate statement, the Hospital Authority said a total of 1,700 COVID patients were being treated in hospitals, including 156 new patients.
Thirty-four COVID patients were in critical condition, including 11 receiving intensive care, while 25 were in serious condition, the HA said.
Meanwhile, the Buildings Department said in a statement that Director of Buildings Clarice Yu is undergoing home quarantine after she was identified as a close contact of a positive COVID-19 case.
Yu, who is working from home, has taken rapid antigen tests regularly, including one on Monday, with negative test results, according to the statement.
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