A deputy commissioner of the Labour Department has become the first senior Hong Kong official to have contracted Covid-19.

Jeff Leung Wing-yan, who manages the occupational safety and health section, was confirmed with the coronavirus on Thursday evening, the department said.

Hong Kong is currently battling a worsening fifth wave of coronavirus infections, with the daily number of cases approaching record highs. Another 142 new infections were confirmed on Thursday and about 160 preliminary-positive cases were reported.

A government statement released earlier said an employee who worked on the 16th floor of the Harbour Building in Central was confirmed with Covid-19 and last went to work on Monday.

The statement, which did not identify Leung, said the worker had no contact with the public and did not participate in any meetings that day.

“The [department] has arranged thorough cleaning and disinfection at the premises concerned and maintained close liaison with the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health in taking appropriate follow-up actions,” the statement said.

Staff members should also seek medical advice immediately and tell the department if they felt unwell, it added.