A child (right) jumps for a kite at the West Kowloon Cultural district overlooking Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong on Oct 27, 2022. (ISAAC LAWRENCE / AFP)

HONG KONG - Hong Kong reported 6,575 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday as nine more infected patients passed away, health authorities said.

The Centre for Health Protection said in a statement that the new cases comprised 6,108 local infections and 465 imported cases. Hong Kong saw 5,723 new infections on Saturday.

The Centre for Health Protection said in a statement that the new cases comprised 6,108 local infections and 465 imported cases

The nine new deaths brought the city’s toll during the fifth wave of infections to 10,313. 

The CHP said 14 residential care homes for the elderly and persons with disabilities had 17 new cases while four schools had to suspend four in-person classes and a school bus service for one week due to infections. 

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As of Sunday, the Public Health Laboratory Services Branch had identified 217 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 imported cases, the CHP said.

It added that 24 cases of sub-lineage XBB, 15 of XBD, one of BA.2.75.2, one of BF.7 and 31 of BQ.1.1 have also been found among local cases.

In a separate statement, the Hospital Authority said 2,024 patients who tested positive for COVID-19 were being treated in public hospitals, including 239 new patients. 

There were 171 patients who required oxygen therapy while 13 patients needed ventilator support, the HA said. 

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Thirty-six patients were in critical condition, including nine in intensive care, while 44 were in serious condition, it added.