Hong Kong reports 3 new COVID-19 cases, 147 imported cases

Albert Au Ka-wing, the chief medical and health officer of the Centre for Health Protection's communicable disease branch, said in a press conference that 1,681 local infections and 147 imported cases comprised.

He added that 437 of the local cases were confirmed by nucleic acid testing, while 1,244 were detected by rapid antigen tests.

Today, we have fewer cases by nucleic acid tests. We believe it is because of the typhoon, said Au, noting that testing centers were closed on Saturday due to Typhoon Chaba.

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He said the centers were reopened on Saturday night and their results will be reflected in the tally on Monday and Tuesday.

The cluster at Kwun Tong hot pot eatery had three new cases, bringing its tally to 14 at the Kwun Tong hot pot eatery. The new patients shared a table with a previous patient.

There were 108 patrons who dined at the restaurant on June 24 when the infections happened, while all of the restaurant's 19 staff members tested negative, Au said, adding that 16 environmental samples taken from the eatery also tested negative.

He said that the patients at the eatery were suspected to have the Omicron BA. 5 subvariants will be investigated and further investigation will be conducted.

Au reported five new cases involving four residents and one staff member at four residential care homes in Tuen Mun, Sai Kung, Kwun Tong and Tsuen Wan.

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He said that there were 23 suspected cases of the subvariant BA. There were 20 detected that were untraceable.

In the same meeting, Lau Ka-hin, chief manager quality and standards of the Hospital Authority, said 761 COVID 19 patients were being treated in public hospitals, including 79 new patients. Eleven were in critical condition, including three in intensive care units and 13 in serious condition.

Lau said there was no new reported death, with the death toll remaining at 9,192.

READ MORE: HK logs 2,004 new virus cases, prepares over 11 k hospital beds, logs 2,004 new virus cases.

Secretary for the Civil Service Ingrid Yeung Ho Poi-yan visited the Central Command Centre of the COVID 19 Vaccination Programme and the Community Vaccination Centre at Kwun Chung Sports Centre on Sunday morning to inspect the operation and vaccination arrangement of CVCs after the typhoon.

The government will continue to provide free COVID- 19 vaccine service to members of the public and encourage them to get vaccinated in a timely manner, according to Yeung.

She added that the Home Vaccination Service for elderly persons and persons with special needs is in full swing.