#16,942
Although it pales in comparison to the numbers that Hong Kong was reporting in March of this year, today HK reported 5,148 new COVID cases - the biggest daily total since April 1st. According to Hong Kong's CHP (Centre for Health Protection), the proportion of BA.5 and BA.4.6 are increasing, and they cite their increased transmissibility as a factor.
Hong Kong had seen their daily cases drop below 200 in late May, but like the Mainland, has seen a recent rebound in cases.
Unlike the rest of the world, both Mainland China and Hong Kong continue to pursue a `Zero-COVID' policy, although with each new, highly transmissible variant, that task become more difficult.
(translation)
More than 5,000 positive cases of new crown
August 13, 2022
There were 5,148 new positive local cases of novel coronavirus in Hong Kong. According to the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health, the proportion of cases suspected of being infected with the BA.4 or BA.5 substrain of the Omicron variant virus is increasing. Since its transmissibility is higher than that of other virus strains, the public should seek medical treatment as soon as possible if they are unwell.
Zhang Zhujun, director of the Infectious Diseases Division of the Centre for Health Protection, said at a briefing today that among the new local cases, 1,839 were positive for nucleic acid tests, 3,309 were confirmed positive for rapid antigen tests, and 160 were imported cases. Three more deaths were reported.
Two residential care homes for the elderly, namely Sha Tau Kok Nursing Home and Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Nursing Home, and Conn Garden (II), a Residential Home for the Disabled, have recorded infection cases, and the close contacts are required to undergo quarantine.
Regarding the Omicron variant virus strains, Zhang Zhujun pointed out that preliminary figures show that the proportion of cases suspected of being infected with the BA.4 or BA.5 subline accounted for 18.9% of the new cases, and BA.2.12.1 accounted for 8.1%. The Centre for Protection once again appeals to those who have not yet received the new crown vaccine or who have not completed the vaccination to be vaccinated as soon as possible.
She also said that according to the data released by the World Health Organization and foreign experience, the BA.5 subline has the opportunity to become a mainstream virus strain in many places, and Hong Kong is no exception; because the BA.4 or BA.5 subline has a higher transmission rate , the public should pay attention and seek medical attention as soon as possible if they feel unwell.
In response to multiple positive cases, 65 specified places were included in the mandatory testing notice . The Government will reopen the mobile sampling station at Cheung Hong Estate in Tsing Yi tomorrow, and the mobile sampling station at On Yam Estate in Kwai Chung will extend the service period to the 15th of this month.
In view of the high virus levels in sewage samples from some estates in Eastern District, North District, Sai Kung, Yuen Long, Sham Shui Po and Wong Tai Sin , the Housing Department will distribute rapid antigen test kits to the relevant residents, cleaners and property management staff.
The Government has set up a dedicated webpage to provide relevant information and health advice on COVID-19.
We are seeing similar increases in other Asia countries, including Japan and South Korea (see chart below), as fresh waves of Omicron make their way around the world.
