Among the new infections, 9,531 were locally transmitted, and the remaining were imported cases. In addition, 15 patients who passed away in public hospitals were reported.

A five-year-old boy infected with Covid was in critical condition at Prince of Wales Hospital’s pediatric intensive care unit. He tested positive on Monday.

Under Secretary for Health Libby Lee Ha-yun said current social distancing measures will remain in place until December 14, but authorities do not rule out tightening curbs if outbreaks grow bigger.

She said it’s not appropriate to further relax social distancing measures due to the rebound in infections, but the SAR is also not at the stage when measures have to be tightened again.