The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (September 29) announced the latest epidemic situation of COVID-19. As of 0.00am, September 29, the CHP was investigating 4 024 additional locally acquired cases that tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, comprising 1 024 cases that tested positive by nucleic acid tests (475 confirmed cases, 471 asymptomatic cases and 78 cases with pending status) and 3 000 cases that tested positive by rapid antigen tests (RATs) in the past 24 hours.

     Separately, 245 additional imported cases were reported, including 230 cases that tested positive by nucleic acid tests (25 confirmed cases, 178 asymptomatic cases and 27 cases with pending status) and 15 cases that tested positive by RATs.

     Hong Kong has recorded a total of 949 293 and 812 088 cases that have tested positive by nucleic acid tests and RATs respectively for the SARS-CoV-2 virus so far.

     The CHP is continuing with epidemiological investigations of the cases. Please refer to the Annex and "COVID-19 Thematic Website" (www.coronavirus.gov.hk) for more information.

     Among the specimens received by the DH's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch during September 20 to 26 for verification testing of local cases, about 3.5 per cent and 87.6 per cent of them (seven-day moving average) are related to the sub-lineages BA.2.12.1 and BA.4/BA.5 (including suspected cases) of the Omicron mutant strain respectively.     

     In addition, as of 0.00am, September 29, a total of 9 940 death cases that had tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus during the fifth wave (since December 31, 2021) were recorded, with 9 855 and 82 deaths reported from the Hospital Authority and public mortuaries respectively as well as three deaths reported from the Chinese University of Hong Kong Medical Centre. Hong Kong has so far recorded a total of 10 153 death cases that tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus.  

     Furthermore, among the earlier cases by nucleic acid tests reported, there were cases (including pending cases) changed to confirmed, asymptomatic or re-positive cases. As at yesterday (September 28), the total number of confirmed cases was 413 676, while the figures for asymptomatic cases, re-positive cases and pending/unknown cases recorded since January 1 were 292 318, 31 and 242 014 respectively.

     The spokesman for the CHP said that COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective in preventing severe cases and deaths from the SARS-CoV-2 virus. They can provide effective protection to those vaccinated in preventing serious complications and even death after infection. People who have yet to receive vaccination, especially senior citizens, chronic patients, children, and other immunocompromised persons who face a higher chance of death after COVID-19 infection, should get vaccinated as early as possible for self-protection and to reduce the risk of falling seriously ill and death should they get infected.

     ​The CHP strongly appeals to the community to strictly comply with social distancing measures and refrain from participating in unnecessary or crowded activities or mass gatherings. This would lower the risk of infection and prevent the virus from spreading in the community. ​​The spokesman reminded members of the public that they can call various hotlines to make enquiries on COVID-19 (www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/index.html#hotline).

Ends/Thursday, September 29, 2022
Issued at HKT 16:32

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