On Friday, HONG KONG Hong Kong reported 2,945 new COVID 19 cases and three deaths, as health authorities said it was not the time to relax restrictions due to a rebound in cases.
Friday's figure was a slight decrease from Thursday's 3,028 infections, bringing the city's infection tally to 1,252, 436 during the fifth wave.
Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau said in a news briefing that the financial hub is seeing a rebound in cases and there is no room to relax COVID 19 curbs for now.
If the situation doesn't improve, the number of new cases could double in two weeks, he said.
READ MORE: HK sees 2,268 new COVID 19 cases, no deaths for 3rd day
He said that the ratio of positive cases has gone from around 0.6 percent in late May to around 1.3 percent late last month.
The new cases included 2,748 local infections and 197 imported cases, according to Chuang Shuk-kwan, head of the Centre for Health Protection's communicable disease branch.
Among the imported cases, 63 came from the United Kingdom, 14 from Thailand, 13 from the United States and 10 from Singapore, Chuang said.
She said that 174 students and 38 staff from 194 schools reported being infected. The authorities have recommended one class at Concordia Lutheran School in Shek Kip Mei and another at Leung Kui Kau Lutheran Primary School in Sha Tin to suspend class for one week.
Three more patients who have been infected with COVID 19 have passed away, according to Chief Manager Clinical Effectiveness and Technology Management of the Hospital Authority, Gladys Kwan. Two men and one woman, aged 64 to 85, have received two to three doses of COVID- 19 vaccine, and all have chronic illnesses.
She said that 852 COVID 19 patients were being treated in public hospitals as of Friday, including 113 new patients. Fourteen of them were in critical condition, including three receiving intensive care, while 18 were in serious condition.
A spokesman for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government appealed to all sectors of the community including domestic helpers to fight the COVID 19 virus together.
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department of the HKSAR government will conduct joint operations with several government departments to carry out publicity and educational work in various districts, appealing to the public to raise awareness of epidemic prevention and comply with various anti-epidemic regulations and restrictions.
The local situation of COVID 19 infection is still very severe. The spokesman said that group gatherings are of utmost importance in order to prevent the spread of the epidemic in the community.
The spokesman said that all sectors must be vigilant and comply with the relevant regulations on the prevention and control of disease in a concerted and persistent manner.