A passenger takes photos on a Star Ferry on Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong on May 4, 2022. (PETER PARKS / AFP)

HONG KONG - Hong Kong reported 324 new COVID-19 cases on Friday as the city's daily infections have stabilized to around 300 over the past week.

The new cases comprised 295 local infections and 29 imported cases, Albert Au Ka-wing, principal medical and health officer of the Centre for Health Protection’s communicable disease branch, said in a press briefing.

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Eleven of the imported cases were detected at the Hong Kong airport under the “test-and-hold” arrangement, while the remaining eight were found at quaratine hotels

Eleven of the imported cases were detected at the Hong Kong airport under the “test-and-hold” arrangement, involving travelers from the UK, Singapore, Canada, Spain, the Netherlands, Australia and Taiwan. The remaining 18 cases were found at quarantine hotels, according to Au.

He added that 15 students and eight school staff members also tested positive for the virus, as more than 2,300 schools have resumed face-to-face classes so far.

Larry Lee Lap-yip, chief manager (Integrated Clinical Services) of the Hospital Authority, said at the same briefing that 11 patients who tested positive for COVID-19 have passed away.

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The patients aged between 68 and 93 and brought the number of COVID-19 deaths during the fifth wave of the pandemic to 9,131.