Commuters donning face masks queue for buses at a public transport interchange in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, July 22, 2020. (PARKER ZHENG/CHINA DAILY)

HONG KONG - Hong Kong's Center for Health Protection (CHP) reported 24 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, bringing the total confirmed cases to 4,734.

Chuang stressed that the epidemic is not yet completely under control, although the overall number of new cases is decreasing

All the newly-reported cases are local infections, Chuang Shuk-kwan, head of the CHP's Communicable Disease Branch, told a media briefing, adding that 14 cases were related to previously confirmed cases and sources of the other 10 were unknown.

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Chuang stressed that the epidemic is not yet completely under control, although the overall number of new cases is decreasing. She urged the public to avoid social gathering as much as possible.

According to Hong Kong's Hospital Authority, 445 patients are still hospitalized, including 27 in critical condition. The total number of deaths due to the coronavirus in rose to 78. 

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Hong Kong will relax social distancing rules from Friday, allowing dine-in services at restaurants till 9 pm and the removal of masks during outdoor exercise, as COVID-19 cases in the city dwindled.

The financial hub will also reopen cinemas, beauty parlors and outdoor sports venues where physical contact is limited.