People cross a road in Causeway Bay district in Hong Kong, Feb 21, 2022. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

HONG KONG – Hong Kong reported 2,945 new COVID-19 cases and three deaths on Friday, as health authorities said it is not the time to ease restrictions amid a rebound in cases.

Friday's figure was a slight decrease from Thursday's 3,028 infections, bringing the city's infection tally during the fifth wave to 1,252,436.

Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau said in a news briefing that the financial hub is seeing a rebound in cases and there is no room to relax COVID-19 curbs for now.

Chuang Shuk-kwan, head of the communicable disease branch of the Centre for Health Protection, said in the sam briefing that the new cases comprised 2,748 local infections and 197 imported cases

"The number of new cases could double in two weeks’ time if the situation does not improve," he said.

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He noted that the ratio of positive cases have risen from around 0.6 percent in late May to around 1.3 percent late last month.

Chuang Shuk-kwan, head of the communicable disease branch of the Centre for Health Protection, said in the sam briefing that the new cases comprised 2,748 local infections and 197 imported cases.

Among the imported cases, 63 came from the United Kingdom, 14 from Thailand, 13 from the United States, and 10 from Singapore, Chuang said.

She added that 174 students and 38 staff members from 194 schools reported being infected. The authorities have recommended one class at Concordia Lutheran School in Shek Kip Mei and another at Leung Kui Kau Lutheran Primary School in Sha Tin to suspend class for one week.

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Gladys Kwan, Chief Manager (Clinical Effectiveness and Technology Management) of the Hospital Authority, said at the briefing that three more patients infected with COVID-19 have passed away. The two men and one woman, aged 64 to 85, have received two to three doses of COVID-19 vaccine and all have chronic illnesses.

A spokesman for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government appealed to all sectors of the community including domestic helpers to continue to fight the COVID-19 virus together

She added that 852 COVID-19 patients were being treated in public hospitals as of Friday, including 113 new patients. Fourteen of them were in critical condition, including three receiving intensive care, while 18 were in serious condition.  

In a statement, a spokesman for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government appealed to all sectors of the community including domestic helpers to continue to fight the COVID-19 virus together.

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department of the HKSAR government will conduct joint operations with several government departments to carry out publicity and educational work in various districts, appealing to the public to raise awareness of epidemic prevention and urging them to comply with the various anti-epidemic regulations and restrictions and other legislation.

"The local situation of COVID-19 infection is still very severe. Avoiding group gatherings is of utmost importance in preventing the pandemic from spreading in the community," said the spokesman.

The spokesman noted that all sectors must stay vigilant and comply with the relevant regulations on the prevention and control of disease in a concerted and persistent manner.

With Xinhua inputs