Among the new cases, 3,783 were locally transmitted while the other 262 were imported cases, Chuang Shuk-kwan from the Centre for Health Protection said.

The Hospital Authority added three more related deaths involving two men and one woman aged 87 to 93. The death tally of the fifth wave now stands at 9,337.

Gladys Kwan Wai-man, Hospital Authority's chief manager for clinical effectiveness and technology management, said employees of the HA can continue to work after tested negative via rapid tests even if they were holding yellow health codes.

She said those colleagues will follow the guidelines issued by the government to take daily rapid tests and regular nucleic acid tests.

They will also be reminded to pay attention to their conditions and were recommended not to go to work if they feel unwell. They would also wear protective equipment at work and avoid gatherings.

Staff members of the HA were separated while eating in the canteen, and those with yellow codes were recommended not to talk while eating.

The center was informed of 401 positive cases from 280 schools, including 330 students and 71 teachers and staffers. Eight schools have classes suspended for a week.

Three elderly homes and three care centers for the disabled also reported new infections.