Hong Kong health officials uncovered another nightclub-related Covid-19 cluster, the fourth this week, while about 250 patrons of a basement bar were fined more than HK$1 million (US$127,450) in total for breaching social-distancing rules in the early hours of Friday.

The city reported 499 new Covid-19 infections, including 49 imported ones, on Friday as outbreaks linked to bars and clubs in the city’s main nightlife district grew. Two more Covid-related deaths were recorded.

The tally of confirmed cases stands at 1,214,192 and the death toll at 9,382.