Hong Kong reports 1,860 new COVID-19 cases

On March 4, 2022, people rest on benches in the Tai Hing Estate in Tuen Mun, Hong Kong. PHOTO XINHUA HONG KONG KONG KONG - Hong Kong reported 1,860 new COVID 19 cases on Thursday, a rise from the previous day's 1,650, as a cluster involving a restaurant in Tuen Mun grew to 37.

Chuang Shuk-kwan, head of the Centre for Health Protection, said in a news briefing that 1,721 local infections and 139 imported infections comprised the new cases. There was no new death as the city's death toll stood at 9,185 during the fifth wave.

Chuang said that the cluster at Victoria Harbour Restaurant grew by 10 including seven patrons and three close contacts. The patrons dined there after 6 pm on June 16.

Around 270 patrons who dined at the restaurant during the period will need to undergo mandatory quarantine, Chuang said.

All of the 10 patients, aged six to 29 years old, were suspected to have the Omicron subvariant BA. Chuang said that 19 environmental samples were taken from the restaurant and all were negative. The authorities are still investigating the source of the outbreak.

Eleven other local cases were suspected to involve the highly-transmissible BA. Chuang said there were six subvariants including one with no known source of origin.

Patients who live in Tuen Mun, Tseung Kwan O, Abderdeen, Tsin Shui Wai, Quarry Bay and Shau Kei Wan were among the other cases.

Chuang said 164 students and 35 staff from 163 schools reported being infected.

In the same meeting, Sara Ho said that 552 COVID 19 patients were being treated in public hospitals, including 100 new patients.

Ten were in critical condition, including two in intensive care units, while 11 were in serious condition, Ho added.

Ho noted that most of the COVID- 19 patients developed mild symptoms and the number of serious cases remained stable despite the increase in the number of COVID 19 patients admitted to the hospital.