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| The record drop in cases comes a day before the city begins universal testing for Covid-19 |
Nine new Covid-19 cases were reported today, Aug. 31, the
second time the daily infection tally drop to single-digit since the third wave
of infections hit Hong Kong in early July. Exactly
a week ago, the city also recorded nine cases for the day.
The significant drop in new cases came on the eve of the
start of the universal community testing, a voluntary scheme aimed at detecting
asymptomatic carriers and put an end to the silent transmissions within the
community.
As of noon today, more than two days after registration for
the scheme started, around 510,000 people had signed up to be tested, according
to the Secretary for the Civil Service Patrick Nip.
Based on the figures, observers say about two million people
will eventually take part in the scheme, which is barely a third of Hong Kong ’s population of 7.5 million.
But Nip remains hopeful, saying it’s hard to give an
estimate. He added it seemed like people are eager to join.
A day or two after the mass testing starts, he said the
government will decide whether to extend the exercise. The mass testing is due
to last for only a week, but could be extended for up to another week depending
on the demand.
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| PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE |
Of today’s cases, two are imported, including a 40-year-old
Filipina domestic worker who arrived in Hong Kong
on Aug 29. The other is a 53-year-old male pilot who flew in from Ethiopia
Five of the seven cases that were locally acquired were
linked to previous infections, while two have unknown sources. The total tally
in Hong Kong so far is 4,811.
Among the linked cases is a resident at the Hong Chi
facility for the mentally disabled at Lei Muk Shue Estate in Kwai Chung.
Another resident tested preliminary positive.
A total of 12 residents and six staff have come down with
the virus so far. All the remaining 40 or so personnel at the hostel are under
quarantine, while the residents had all been moved out and transferred to the
AsiaWorld-Expo community testing facility.
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| The AWE treatment facility is being readied in case a rash of new infections is detected during universal testing |
The two unknown cases are a 31-year-old woman who is 36
weeks pregnant and is now confined at Tuen Mun Hospital Prince
Edward Road West
Among those who tested preliminary positive was 64-year-old
man who was admitted to Pok Oi Hospital yesterday afternoon for shortness of
breath. Two hospital staff who attended to him were identified as close
contacts as they did not wear adequate PPE.
The patient has been transferred to Princess Margaret
Hospital
Dr.Linda Yu of the Hospital Authority reported that no
patient passed away in the past 24 hours, but an 83-year-old man succumbed to
Covid-19 related illness at United
Christian Hospital
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| Tunghayan ang isa na namang Kwentong Dream Love |
A total of 22 patients were discharged today from various
hospitals, bringing the total number of recoveries to 4,341.
As of noon today, 343 confirmed patients were being
treated in 18 public hospitals and at AWE facility. Among them, 26
are in critical condition, 29 are in serious condition, and 288 are in stable
condition.
