CHP investigates 219 confirmed and 441 asymptomatic additional SARS-CoV-2 virus cases
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (April 5) announced the latest epidemic situation of COVID-19. As of 0.00am, April 5, the CHP was investigating 1 658 additional cases that tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus by nucleic acid tests (219 confirmed cases, 441 asymptomatic cases and 998 cases with pending case status) in the past 24 hours. Separately, 1 596 additional positive cases through rapid antigen tests (RAT) (865 symptomatic cases and 731 asymptomatic cases) were reported. Hong Kong has recorded a total of 745 253 and 432 561 cases that tested positive by nucleic acid tests and RAT respectively for the SARS-CoV-2 virus so far. The aforementioned newly reported cases consist of 16 imported cases and 1 642 locally acquired cases tested positive by nucleic acid tests, as well as 1 596 locally acquired cases tested positive by RAT. The CHP is continuing with epidemiological investigations on the cases. Please refer to the "COVID-19 Thematic Website" (www.coronavirus.gov.hk) for more information. In addition, as of 0.00am, April 5, a total of 8 136 deaths that have been tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus during the fifth wave (since December 31, 2021) were recorded, with 8 078 and 56 deaths reported from the Hospital Authority and public mortuaries respectively as well as two deaths reported from the Chinese University of Hong Kong Medical Centre. Hong Kong has so far recorded a total of 8 349 deaths that have been 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 (April 4), the total number of confirmed cases was 306 170, while the figures for asymptomatic cases, re-positive cases, pending/unknown cases recorded since January 1 were 181 028, 10 and 256 387 respectively. Also, the DH invoked the Prevention and Control of Disease (Regulation of Cross-boundary Conveyances and Travellers) Regulation (Cap. 599H) to prohibit the landing of passenger flights in Hong Kong from the relevant original port of the following airlines for seven days:
- Passenger flight (SQ894) operated by Singapore Airlines arriving in Hong Kong from Singapore on April 1, had one passenger who tested positive upon arrival, and one passenger who failed to comply with the requirements specified under the Cap. 599H (landing of passenger flights from Singapore in Hong Kong from April 5 to 11 prohibited);
- Passenger flight (MH072) operated by Malaysia Airlines arriving in Hong Kong from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on April 3, had two passengers who tested positive upon arrival, and one passenger who failed to comply with the requirements specified under the Cap. 599H (landing of passenger flights from Kuala Lumpur in Hong Kong from April 5 to 11 prohibited);
- Passenger flight (QR818) operated by Qatar Airways arriving in Hong Kong from Doha, Qatar, on April 4, had three passengers who tested positive upon arrival (landing of passenger flights from Doha in Hong Kong from April 6 to 12 prohibited); and
- Passenger flight (CX216) operated by Cathay Pacific arriving in Hong Kong from Manchester, the United Kingdom, on April 4, had four passengers who tested positive upon arrival (landing of passenger flights from Manchester in Hong Kong from April 6 to 12 prohibited).
The spokesman for the CHP stressed that the local situation of COVID-19 infection became severe recently and there is a continuous increase in the number of cases involving mutant strains that carry higher transmissibility. With the higher transmissibility and risk of infection of the Omicron mutant strain, the CHP strongly appeals to the community to continue to comply with the social distancing measures, avoid going out and refrain from participating in unnecessary or crowded activities or gatherings (particularly religious or cross-family activities and gatherings). This would lower the risk of infection and prevent the virus from spreading in the community.