This Dec 1, 2022 photo shows partitions and signage placed at the waiting area of the Community Vaccination Centre (CVC) at CUHK Medical Centre in Hong Kong to delineate the areas for persons receiving different kinds of vaccine. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVERNMENT)

HONG KONG – The health authorities of Hong Kong reported 10,111 cases, including 497 imported infections, on Saturday, a day after the daily caseload dropped below the 10,000 mark.

Thirteen more people diagnosed with COVID-19 died, taking the toll in the city 10,790 since the start of the pandemic.

Of the new 9,614 locally-transmitted cases, 1,917 tested positive by nucleic acid while the rest by rapid antigen tests (RATs), the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health said in a statement.

READ MORE: HK daily cases top 10,000 as bivalent jabs distributed

Meanwhile, of the imported cases, 225 involved samples taken at the Hong Kong International Airport, 221 testing positive on day 1 to day 3 of their arrival, and the remaining 51 during day 4 to day 7.

Total 2,765 COVID-19 patients, including 321 new ones, are currently hospitalized for treatment, the Hospital Authority said in a separate statement. 

There are a total of 52 patients in critical condition and 78 in serious condition, it said adding that 15 critical patients are receiving intensive care.

As of Dec 2, the Department of Health's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch (PHLSB) identified 225 cases of sub-lineage XBB, six of XBD, eight of BA.2.75.2, seven of BA.4.6, 13 of BF.7 and 36 of BQ.1.1 among imported cases in Hong Kong, according to the CHP.

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Another 104 cases of sub-lineage XBB, 18 of XBD, one of BA.2.75.2, four of BF.7 and 121 of BQ.1.1 have been detected among locally-acquired cases, the CHP added.