The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     As at 0.00am today (May 17), a total of 686 patients who tested positive for COVID-19 are currently being treated in the North Lantau Hospital Hong Kong Infection Control Centre, the Hospital Authority (HA) Infectious Disease Centre and public hospitals, including 66 new patients. 103 confirmed patients are being treated in isolation wards, of which 19 are new patients. The rest of the confirmed patients are continued to be hospitalised or re-admitted due to other medical reasons. Those patients have recovered and are non-infectious, who therefore do not need to be treated in isolation wards. There were 88 patients who have recovered, including 70 patients who have been discharged. In addition, no confirmed patient passed away in public hospitals yesterday.
 
     In the fifth wave of the epidemic, there are 49 446 patients who have recovered so far, including 49 000 patients who have been discharged. And since early 2020, there are 61 826 patients who have recovered, including 61 380 patients who have been discharged.
 
     The HA will maintain close contact with the Centre for Health Protection to monitor the latest developments and to inform the public and healthcare workers on the latest information in a timely manner.

Ends/Tuesday, May 17, 2022
Issued at HKT 20:12

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