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Published: 17:46, November 11, 2022 | Updated: 18:28, November 11, 2022
HK logs 5.5K new COVID cases, eases care homes visit curbs
By Wang Zhan
Published:17:46, November 11, 2022 Updated:18:28, November 11, 2022 By Wang Zhan

A man leaves after receiving a dose of the Comirnaty COVID-19 vaccine at a community vaccination center at the Kowloon Mosque and Islamic Centre in Hong Kong, March 19, 2022. (KIN CHEUNG / AP)

HONG KONG – Hong Kong on Friday recorded 5,599 new coronavirus infections, 398 of which were imported, and 10 COVID-related deaths.

Meanwhile, 2,054 patients, including 290 new admissions, are being treated at public hospitals

The new deaths brought the city’s tally of COVID-19 casualties to 10,298 during the fifth pandemic wave, and 10,511 since the pandemic began, according to the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health.

Of the imported infections, 209 involved samples at Hong Kong International Airport, 115 during day 1 to day 3, and the remaining 74 from day 4 to day 7.

Meanwhile, 2,054 patients, including 290 new admissions, are being treated at public hospitals. Total 175 of then needed oxygen therapy while 15 required ventilator support, said the Hospital Authority (HA) in a separate statement.

Total 47 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 were in serious condition, while 31 in critical condition, including nine receiving intensive care.

As of Friday, the Public Health Laboratory Services Branch had identified 215 cases of sub-lineage XBB, six of XBD, eight of BA.2.75.2, seven of BA.4.6, 11 of BF.7 and 32 of BQ.1.1 among the imported cases.

Simultaneously, 22 cases of sub-lineage XBB, 15 of XBD, one of BA.2.75.2 and 27 of BQ.1.1 had also been detected among the local cases.

ALSO READ: HK: 20k jab certificates invalid by Wednesday, tally 4,649

Outbreak at Tuen Mun Hospital

Since Nov 7, three patients in a rehabilitation ward of Tuen Mun Hospital have tested positive for COVID-19 infection, with four close contacts from the same ward having been identified as asymptomatic cases, said the HA.

The abovementioned patients are all being isolated and in stable condition, the HA added.

Rules for care homes relaxed

Lifting the requirement of one visitor for each resident at a time, residential care homes have been asked to set the number of visitors for each resident and the total number of visitors at any one time to avoid overcrowding.

All visitors must use their vaccine pass and show a negative PCR test result within 48 hours of their visit, the Social Welfare Department said in a statement on Friday.

READ MORE: HK COVID caseload rises to 5,697 as 9 more die

The government has also decided to allow the care homes to arrange group outings for residents.

Such outings should adopt closed-loop arrangements where dedicated transport is provided for residents to travel to the designated locations and return as a group under the guidance of the care home staff, the department added.

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