HONG KONG Hong Kong's health authorities recorded 8,878 new COVID 19 cases in a decrease from Thursday's figure and 14 related deaths on Friday.
The Center for Health Protection CHP of the Department of Health said that 8,316 locally acquired infections and 562 imported infections were among the new cases.
336 of the imported infections were detected at Hong Kong International Airport, 173 during Day 1 to Day 3 and 53 between Days 4 and 7, according to 336 of the imported infections.
As of Friday, the Public Health Laboratory Services Branch PHLSB had identified 224 cases of sub-lineage XBB, six of XBD, eight of BA. There were 2, seven of a BA. 4.6, 12 of BF. There were 1.1 imported cases.
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There were 72 cases of sub-lineage XBB, 16 of XBD, one of BA. 2, two of BF. There were 1.1 detected among the locally-transmitted cases.
Among the specimens received by the PHLSB for verification testing of local cases, about 76.5 percent of them seven-day moving average are related to the BA. 5 including suspected cases of the Omicron subvariant.
The CHP said that the COVID in Hong Kong was at 10,450 during the fifth Pandemic wave.
2,618 COVID patients, including 337 new admissions, are currently hospitalized for treatment. The Hospital Authority said in a separate statement that 271 are requiring oxygen therapy, while 15 are on ventilator support.
At public hospitals, 56 patients are in serious condition and 50 are in critical condition.
The Commerce and Economic Development Bureau said on Friday that Bernard Chan tested positive for COVID 19 through a polymerase chain reaction-based nucleic acid test.
Chan, who is currently under isolation and having no recent travel history, followed relevant disease prevention measures at work, including taking rapid antigen tests daily, the bureau said.
Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Algernon Yau has tested negative through RAT testing so far.