In this March 2, 2022 photo, people arrive at a COVID-19 testing center in Hong Kong. (DALE DE LA REY / AFP)

HONG KONG – Hong Kong reported 430 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, an increase from the 347 infections on Tuesday, bringing the city’s tally during the fifth wave of the pandemic to 1.19 million.

Chuang Shuk-kwan, head of the communicable disease branch of the Centre for Health Protection, said in a news briefing that the new infections comprised 15 imported cases and 415 local infections.

Chuang Shuk-kwan, head of the communicable disease branch of the Centre for Health Protection said 222 cases were confirmed through nucleic acid tests and 208 by rapid antigen tests

She said 222 cases were confirmed through nucleic acid tests and 208 by rapid antigen tests. 

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“Today’s figures are higher than yesterday but we just can’t rely on a one-day figure to determine a trend…We will have to wait and see,” Chuang said.

She said the resumption of classes and the easing of virus curbs are transmission vectors that could lead to a rebound but the CHP will need to monitor the figures in the coming days to determine any trend.  

Chuang said that seven students and a school staff member from seven schools tested positive through RAT. 

She also said that the 15 imported cases included three that arrived from Tokyo on Japan Airlines flight J029. One was a re-positive case so there will be no ban on JAL flights. 

Another infection that was detected at the airport involved a passenger from Calcutta on Air India flight AI 316.

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The other imported cases, found during quarantine, were from the United States, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and Taiwan region, Chuang added.

Lau Ka-hin, chief manager (quality and standards) of the Hospital Authority, said eight patients who tested positive for COVID-19 passed away in the last 24 hours, including five men and three women aged 49 to 95.

He said one came from a residential care home while three had no vaccination records.

Lau added that one patient was in critical condition, another was in serious condition, while 16 others were being treated in hospital intensive care units.  

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