Visitors walk through a Christmas display in Hong Kong on Christmas Eve, Dec 24, 2022. (PETER PARKS / AFP)

HONG KONG – Hong Kong reported 23,361 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday, a decrease from the 29,207 infections on Saturday, while 62 more patients passed away.

In a statement, the Centre for Health Protection said the new cases included 23,035 local infections and 326 imported cases. The 62 reported deaths brought the city’s toll during the current fifth wave of infections to 11,656.

The Centre for Health Protection said the new cases included 23,035 local infections and 326 imported cases

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The CHP said 24 residential care homes for the elderly and persons with disabilities had 46 new cases.

As of Sunday, Public Health Laboratory Services Branch had identified 226 cases of sub-lineage XBB, six of XBD, eight of BA.2.75.2, seven of BA.4.6, 13 of BF.7 and 38 of BQ.1.1 among imported cases in Hong Kong.

On the other hand, 165 cases of sub-lineage XBB, 18 of XBD, one of BA.2.75.2, 12 of BF.7 and 192 of BQ.1.1 had been detected among local infections.

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The CHP added that 51.18 percent of new cases verified from Dec 23 to 29 were linked to the BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron subvariants.