CHP investigates locally acquired SARS-CoV-2 virus cases with 948 cases tested positive by nucleic acid tests and 3 302 cases by RATs as well as 399 imported cases and enhances online declaration platforms' functions
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Separately, 399 additional imported cases were reported, including 362 cases that tested positive by nucleic acid tests (62 confirmed cases, 237 asymptomatic cases and 63 cases with pending status) and 37 cases that tested positive by RATs. Among the additional imported cases, 243 of them involved samples at the airport, 95 of them involved samples during Day 1 to Day 3, and the remaining 61 involved samples during Day 4 to Day 7.
Hong Kong has recorded a total of 1 009 552 and 947 990 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 the "COVID-19 Thematic Website" (www.coronavirus.gov.hk) for more information.
Meanwhile, to enable people who tested positive to update and supplement information submitted via the online declaration platforms ("Declaration System for individuals tested positive for COVID-19 using Rapid Antigen Test" (www.chp.gov.hk/ratp) and "Online self-reporting for COVID-19 patient" (www.chp.gov.hk/cdpi)), the DH has added new functions for them to update the mobile number of themselves and their household contacts for receipt of SMS, and to add relevant information of household contacts who have not been declared previously, within seven days after the first submission via the online platforms for one time only. The relevant systems will not handle any request for an information update submitted beyond the seven-day period after the first submission.
The CHP has been closely monitoring the situation of positive cases involving mutant strains by genetic analysis. As of 0.00am, November 8, the DH's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch (PHLSB) had identified 212 cases of sub-lineage XBB, six of XBD, eight of BA.2.75.2, seven of BA.4.6, 11 of BF.7 and 29 of BQ.1.1 among imported cases in Hong Kong, while 13 cases of sub-lineage XBB, 11 of XBD, one of BA.2.75.2 and 22 of BQ.1.1 have also been detected among local cases.
Among the specimens received by the DH's PHLSB during October 30 to November 5 for verification testing of local cases, 0 per cent and about 89.9 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, November 8, a total of 10 266 death cases that had tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus during the fifth wave (since December 31, 2021) were recorded, with 10 178 and 84 deaths reported from the Hospital Authority and public mortuaries respectively as well as four deaths reported from private hospitals. Hong Kong has so far recorded a total of 10 479 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 (November 7), the total number of confirmed cases was 439 261, while the figures for asymptomatic cases, re-positive cases and pending/unknown cases recorded since January 1 were 324 349, 31 and 244 601 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 appeals to the community to keep on maintaining personal hygiene and comply with social distancing measures in order to jointly contain the risk of virus transmission. 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/Tuesday, November 8, 2022
Issued at HKT 17:25
Issued at HKT 17:25
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