By Daisy CL Mandap
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| Many of the new infections were acquired from gatherings over the Lunar New Year |
Health officials who disclosed the record figures at today’s press conference, however, said it is not likely that the daily tally will breach the 1,000 mark in the next few days.
Dr Edwin Tsui, controller of the Centre for Health Protection, said the surge in cases is mainly the result of people gathering together over the Chinese New Year holidays, and whose infections are just being detected.
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| PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE |
“This is the effect of the gatherings during the Lunar New Year. We cannot be sure it will result to 1,000 or more because we are still conducting containment measures,” Tsui said.
From past experiences, he said cases would rise in certain places abroad if there were no containment strategies being implemented.
“Hopefully with all the social distancing measures (and our appeal) to members of the public not to gather, stay home…we hope with these measures and our current containment measures, we can still contain the disease.”
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As part of infection control, the government will move Covid-19 patients who are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms to Penny’s Bay Quarantine Centre from tomorrow, Tuesday.
Hospital Authority’s chief manager Larry Lee said the move will free up beds at public hospitals for patients with more serious symptoms.
Lee also said that among the 1,668 patients still being treated in public hospital, two are now in critical condition: a 77-year-old woman an 80-year-old man who both have the Delta variant and are not vaccinated.
One other patient is in serious condition, while the rest are stable.
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| The doctors at the press conference say HK's containment measures still work |
While Penny’s Bay is turned into an isolation facility for the least ill Covid-19 patients, close contacts will soon be allowed to quarantine at home for 14 days after authorities confirm that their flats are suitable.
During their home quarantine, close contacts will be made to wear tracking bracelets and will not be allowed to receive guests or have contact with anyone from outside, but must provide for their own needs.
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| Press for details |
Hui appealed to online shops to accept food delivery orders for those under home quarantine, and said he hopes their friends and relatives will also help. But he stressed there should be no contact or cash exchanges during deliveries.
Quarantined people will only be given a thermometer and some rapid antigen test kits for Covid-19. Officials say anyone who tests positive during the 14-day period must notify authorities immediately.
Meanwhile, CHP’s infectious disease chief Dr Chuang Shuk-kwan said only seven of today’s confirmed cases were imported. Of the 607 local cases, 31 had the Delta strain, while the others are suspected Omicron carriers.
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Only 150 of the cases have been so far linked to previous infections.
Chuang also said that of the 342 local cases recorded Sunday, 219 were unlinked.
She said she would no longer discuss individual cases given the big number of infections that have been showing up lately.
But she cited in particular cleaners, security guards and construction site workers, whose infections must have been detected according to her, because they were tested regularly.
She also confirmed that two cross-border truck drivers
tested positive. Reports said this caused a heavy backup at the border, and
halted many vegetable deliveries to
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