Hong Kong reports 1,873 new COVID cases

On May 4, 2022, a passenger takes photos on a Star Ferry in Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong. PETER PARKS AFP HONG KONG KONG - Hong Kong reported 1,873 new COVID 19 cases on Monday as the government announced that existing social distancing measures will be extended for two more weeks.

Albert Au Ka-wing, the main medical and health officer of the Centre for Health Protection's communicable disease branch, said the new cases comprised 1,719 local infections and 154 imported cases.

He said 609 were confirmed through nucleic acid tests and 1,110 by rapid antigen tests.

The daily caseload has remained between 1,500 and 1,800. It is a slowly increasing trend. We do not expect the number of cases to multiply, Au said.

He said that the 154 imported cases included 70 detected at the airport, 58 in quarantine hotels and 26 at the end of their quarantine.

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Au said 464 cases were also reported from 335 schools, including in seven schools that each had at least one class suspended due to a possible outbreak.

Au said that the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department determined that the fresh air ventilation and air exchange volume at the Victoria Harbour Restaurant in Tuen Mun were substandard. The restaurant had an outbreak that resulted in 41 patrons being infected.

Au said the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department told the restaurant s management to improve its ventilation system.

Lau Ka-hin, chief manager quality and standards of the Hospital Authority, said in the same briefing that 625 COVID 19 patients, including 77 new cases, were being treated in the city's hospitals.

He said 11 were in critical condition, including three in intensive care units and 15 in serious condition. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government said in a statement that it will extend existing social distancing measures by 14 more days starting June 30 due to the current Pandemic situation.

The statement says that this includes the requirement of all patrons of bars, pubs, clubs and nightclubs to undergo a test and obtain a negative result before entering the relevant premises in order to better contain the spread of the disease.

The government will continue to allow employers to extend the validity of their existing contracts with their outgoing foreign domestic helpers, according to a statement by the government.

For FDH contracts that will expire on or before September 30, 2022, the Commissioner for Labour has given in-principle consent to extend the employment period for a maximum period of six months if both employer and FDH agree.

Contracts that have already been extended will not be extended under previous arrangements.

The government said that if arrangements cannot be made for a newly hired FDH to come to Hong Kong within the six month extended period, the employer should consider applying for a contract renewal for her current FDH.

A spokesman for the University Grants Committee Secretariat said that Secretary-General of the UGC James Tang has tested positive for COVID-19. He said that Tang is undergoing isolation in accordance with the guidelines of the CHP.

Tang went to work on June 24 and followed social distancing rules, including regularly taking rapid antigen tests that showed negative results. He has no recent travel history, a spokesman said.