People are seen at the West Kowloon Cultural district overlooking Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong on Oct 27, 2022. (ISAAC LAWRENCE / AFP)

HONG KONG – Hong Kong's health authorities on Wednesday recorded 4,709 new cases of coronavirus infections, including 430 imported cases.

Seven patients also passed away in public hospitals due to the coronavirus, the Hospital Authority (HA) reported the same day.

According to the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health, 1,223 of the newly detected locally-acquired cases were identified through nucleic acid tests and the rest 3,056 via rapid antigen tests.

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One residential care home for the elderly and three for disabled people logged five virus cases involving their residents.

The Hospital Authority registered five more critical patients, bringing the number of patients in critical condition to 33

Meanwhile, there were 243 positive cases concerning 180 students and 63 staff filed by 197 schools. As a result, 14 schools each have a class that should suspend face-to-face lessons for seven days.

Among the new imported cases, 302 tested positive for the virus at the Hong Kong International Airport. Another 83 tested positive during Day 1 to Day 3 of their arrival while the remaining 45 during Day 4 to Day 7.

The Hospital Authority said in a separate statement that it had registered five more critical patients, bringing the number of patients in critical condition to 33.

Total 1,931 patients who tested positive for COVID-19 are currently hospitalized for treatment, including 207 new patients. Currently, there are 171 patients requiring oxygen therapy and 14 patients requiring ventilator support. 

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Moreover, there are 228 patients who have recovered, including 194 patients who have been discharged.