27 more patients died, and the quarantine period for confirmed cases and close contacts was shortened to five days
[The Epoch Times, Rhagfyr 09, 2022](Comprehensive report by Epoch Times reporters Lin Yishan and Mai Bi Hong Kong) The Center for Health Protection announced that at 00:00 on the 8th, 14,373 new cases have been confirmed in Hong Kong. , a new high since July 27 more confirmed patients died. In addition, the government announced on the 8th that it would relax some epidemic prevention measures. The isolation and quarantine period for confirmed cases and close contacts will be shortened from 7 days to 5 days, and the daily rapid test requirement for immigrants will be shortened from 7 days to 5 days after arrival in Hong Kong . However, the mask order and social distancing measures will continue until December 28.
The government held another press conference on the epidemic on the 8th The new cases in Hong Kong include 13,575 local cases and 798 imported cases. In terms of nursing homes, a total of 47 residents and 3 workers in 24 residential care homes for the elderly were diagnosed, and 47 residents were listed as close contacts; a total of 16 residents and 1 worker in 13 homes for the disabled were diagnosed. Sixty residents were listed as close contacts.
Average daily new cases in the last week
An increase of 25.5% since the previous week
In terms of schools, 930 schools reported 1,975 positive cases, including 1,665 students and 310 teaching staff. A total of 17 classes in 16 schools need to suspend classes for 7 days, including 2 nurseries/childcare centres, 4 primary schools and 10 secondary schools.
Ou Jiarong, chief physician of the Infectious Diseases Division of the Center for Health Protection, said at the epidemic briefing that the average daily new cases in the past week increased by 25.5% compared to the previous week, and the increase was mainly due to local causes. The number of deaths has also increased in line with the general trend of infection numbers. There have been a total of 129 deaths in the last 7 days, an increase of 12.2% compared to the previous 7 days.
Among the local cases from November 29th to December 5th, the Public Health Laboratory Service of the Department of Health found that the proportion of the Omicron BA.2.12.1 mutant virus strain was 0%, and that the BA.4/BA.5 subtype accounted for for about 65.56% %.
As of 0:00 on 8 December, the public health laboratory service was in the process of importing cases, and a total of 226 cases of XBB, 6 cases of XBD, 8 cases of BA.2.75.2, 7 cases of BA. 4.6, 13 cases of BF.7 and 38 cases A total of 117 cases of XBB, 18 cases of XBD, 1 case of BA.2.75.2, 5 cases of BF.7 and 131 cases of the BQ1.1 subfamily were found is found in local cases.
To date, there have been 1,076,153 positive nucleic acid test cases and 1,127,637 positive rapid antigen test cases in Hong Kong, and 10,891 deaths.
Four general outpatient clinics
the service will be suspended
The Hospital Authority announced that a further 425 confirmed they needed to go to hospital, and that a total of 3,248 patients needed to be in hospital for treatment. Of the 2,180 people required to remain in isolation facilities, 353 patients are receiving oxygen therapy and 29 require ventilator-assisted breathing.
The authorities have just reported 12 critical patients and 22 serious patients. There are now a total of 76 critical patients and 95 serious patients. Among them, 20 critical patients are receiving intensive treatment. A further 348 patients recovered and 311 patients were discharged.
In response to the increase in confirmed cases in the community, the Hospital Authority will continue to strengthen the seven designated clinics and telediagnosis services to provide medical support to patients who have been confirmed in the community. Shau Kei Wan Jockey Club General Outpatient Clinic, Yau Ma Tei Jockey Club General Outpatient Clinic, Mrs Trench General Outpatient Clinic and Shek Wu Hui Jockey Club General Outpatient Clinic will suspend services from today, while Shun Outpatient Clinic will General Lee starts from the 12th service adjourned.
Home quarantine of the two office heads
Former chief executive Leung Chun-ying has been diagnosed
Yesterday a spokesman for the Trade and Economic Development Bureau said that a member of the family of the Secretary of Trade and Economic Development Yau Ying-wah who lived with him had been diagnosed. Yau is currently undergoing home quarantine in accordance with the Center for Health Protection guidelines, and will work from home during the quarantine period.
Qiu Yinghua has been conducting regular nucleic acid tests for the new coronavirus. He had had a nucleic acid test the day before yesterday and a rapid antigen test yesterday, and the results were all negative. He wore a mask and followed relevant epidemic prevention measures while working.
A spokesman for the Bureau of Home Affairs and Youth Affairs said yesterday that the Director of the Bureau of Home Affairs and Youth Affairs, Mak Mei-juan, was listed as a close contact after being assessed by the Health Protection Center due to her friend’s diagnosis. She is currently in home quarantine according to the guidelines.
The spokesperson pointed out that Mai Meijuan has been conducting regular nucleic acid tests for the new coronavirus. She had had a nucleic acid test the day before yesterday and a rapid antigen test yesterday, and the results were all negative. A search of the data shows that Mai Meijuan was diagnosed on February 23.
Former chief executive Leung Chun-ying said in a video speech at an event yesterday that he had been on business in Singapore and Cambodia for the past 6 days. He returned to Hong Kong the day before yesterday and tested positive for nucleic acid at the airport. He is currently isolated at home and has no obvious symptoms.
The government also announced yesterday that some epidemic prevention measures would be relaxed. Li Xiayin, deputy director of the Medical and Health Bureau, announced at the epidemic press conference that after balancing the life and health of citizens, social and economic development, and the needs of citizens’ lives, the government decided to maintain the current social distance. mask measures and orders until December 28 this year Find a place to normalize if the situation allows.
Li Xiayin announced that from the early morning of December 9, regardless of whether they have been vaccinated or not, the isolation order for confirmed cases and the quarantine order for close contacts will be shortened from 7 days to 5 days , but they must be vaccinated quickly. antigen tests every day during this period. In addition, the daily rapid test requirements for people arriving from Taiwan and abroad have been shortened from 7 days after arrival to 5 days after arrival, and the nucleic acid test requirements are not on the day arrived and the second day changed. The new arrangement applies to citizens who received a quarantine order or isolation order on December 5, and those arriving from Taiwan and abroad on December 2.
Li Xiayin explained, referring to the statistics from the beginning of September and the middle of November this year, that there were a total of 350,000 close contacts, of which 100,000 were detected, and more than 90% of them were detected on the fifth day of the quarantine period. , so the quarantine order was changed to 5 The day is relatively safe.
The fifth dose can be vaccinated from the 16th
Regarding the new arrangement for vaccination, the government accepted the recommendation of the expert committee and announced that people over the age of 18 who have had 4 or 3 vaccinations and have been diagnosed once can make appointments for the Fubitai vaccination from 9:00 am on December . 16 The bivalent vaccine is used as the fifth dose, but it must be at least 6 months away from the fourth dose or the date of diagnosis, and at least 3 months for those with low immunity.
In addition, people aged 18 or over can receive the bivalent vaccine from Fubitai as the third dose, and citizens can make appointments from December 9. Citizens who made an appointment earlier can request a change to the bivalent Fubitai vaccine on the spot r place in the vaccination centre.
People aged 50 or over can receive the bivalent vaccine from Fubita as the fourth dose; if they have received 2 doses and are diagnosed once, they can receive the bivalent vaccine from Fubita as the third dose.
People between the ages of 18 and 49 who are traveling to high risk areas can also make an appointment to receive the bivalent Fubitai vaccine as the fourth dose, but it must be at least 6 months away from the date of the third dose. ◇
Editor in charge: Li Wei
