Among the new cases, 6,210 were locally transmitted, including 2,093 confirmed via PCR tests and 4,117 verified positive RAT test results.

The Centre for Health Protection's principal medical and health officer Albert Au Ka-wing also counted 179 imported cases – 60 detected at the airport, 57 in quarantine hotels, and 62 in community testing centers.

Au said the number of infections continued to rise because of the latest BA.5 Omicron subvariant trend and the relaxed social distancing measures, which saw citizens engaged in more physical activities.

He continued that the Health Bureau has also opened the community isolation facility in Kai Tak in case more and more cases are reported.

Au added about 90 percent of imported can be identified within seven days following arrivals and the samples taken at community testing centers came with a CT value above 30, suggesting possible re-positive cases.

On another note, Au appealed to students, teachers, and workers of elderly homes to undergo RAT every day. He wanted elderly carers to take at least one PCR test every week.

Hospital Authority's chief manager for quality and standards Lau Ka-hin reported five more related deaths, pushing the death tally of the fifth wave to 9,389.

The deceased patients involved a man and four women aged 55 to 99. An 84-year-old woman didn't receive any Covid shot, while the other four were doubly jabbed. They had cancer or other chronic diseases.

Two elderly homes and three care centers for the disabled were hit by Covid, seeing six residents and four workers contracting the coronavirus. A total of 17 residents were listed as close contacts and ordered to undergo quarantine.

Public hospitals and treatment facilities are now housing 1,904 Covid patients. Among them, 40 are in critical condition, 27 are in serious condition, and 12 are in the hospital intensive care unit. In the past 24 hours, 256 patients have recovered from Covid, and 211 of them have been discharged.