The SUN HK : HK posts 7,884 new Covid-19 cases, 14 deaths

By The SUN

CHP says the caseload could hit 10k soon if the rising trend continues

Health officials reported an additional 7,884 Covid-19 cases on Wednesday, and warned that if the rising trend continues, the daily tally would hit 10,000 soon.

And if that happens, the already restrictive social distancing rules could be tightened further.

The daily caseload was the highest since 8,037 infections were reported on Mar. 27, when the impact from the fifth and most serious wave of the pandemic had begun to wane.

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The related death tally today also rose to 14, involving patients who were all over 60 years old, except one 45-year-old woman who had terminal-stage cancer.

Five of the fatalities received no Covid vaccine at all while only four had the recommended three jabs. At least five of them are suspected to have died of other illnesses although they tested positive for the coronavirus.

Dr Chuang Shuk-wan of the Centre for Health Protection said it was hard to predict the trend in the daily infections, but “if the cases keep increasing, the government can tighten the social distancing measures again.”

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Chuang said the steady rise in cases lately was due to the spread of the highly contagious BA.5 Omicron sub-variant, which now accounts for more than 40% of all infections.

A total of 2,183 Covid-19 patients are currently being treated in public hospitals and other treatment facilities, including 328 who were admitted in the past 24 hours. Among those receiving treatment, 39 are in critical condition, and 32 are seriously ill.

The infected patients included six doctors who tested positive for Covid after attending a wedding feast on Aug 20. No patients have been identified as close contacts.

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Chuang said it is understandable for people to show signs of Covid fatigue because the pandemic has been going on for so long. However, it is important for people to continue following restrictions to prevent the spread of the virus.

“It is important for citizens to abide by the disease-prevention rules, reducing group gathering and wearing masks,” she said.

Dr Larry Lee of the Hospital Authority called on more private doctors and hospitals to be on standby to help in case of another surge in cases.

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Lee said the hospitalization rate for infected patients is currently at between 4 to 5 percent, so if the numbers reach 10,000, the hospitals would be swamped again.

Right now, he said 167 non-Covid patients have already been moved to private hospitals at no extra cost to them, while another 22 are being accommodated at the Chinese University of Hong Kong Medical Centre.