Hong Kong reported 2,492 new Covid-19 cases on Friday and 86 related deaths as health authorities called on citizens to undergo mass rapid testing from today to Sunday for early identification of cases.
Among the new cases, 1,227 were confirmed through PCR tests, including eight imported cases. The other 1,265 cases were positive rapid antigen test results reported by citizens.
The Centre for Health Protection's principal health and medical officer, Albert Au Ka-wing, said that the tally of the fifth wave of the pandemic outbreak now stands at 1,173,096.
Au continued that since the voluntary mass rapid testing arrangement began today (Fri), the number of infections reported to the government's declaration system has increased. However, the official figures have yet to be calculated as some citizens have not completed the procedures such as uploading their identity cards.
When asked about the citizens' doubts about the voluntary mass testing, Au expected the arrangement could find hidden cases in local communities and said the scheme would be more effective if more people took the quick
Covid tests.
He continued that if citizens are unwilling to cooperate and take the tests these three days, the operation loses its meaning, and the pandemic will be never-ending.
Au also urged citizens to comply with the social distancing curbs, wear a KN95 mask distributed by the government, and not participate in cross-family gatherings during the coming Easter holidays.
Hospital Authority's chief manager for quality and standards, Lau Ka-hin, said public hospitals reported 70 deaths yesterday, including 37 men and 33 women aged between 45 and 101. Among them, 31 were residents of elderly homes, 36 had no vaccination record, and 67 were elderly aged 65 or above.
CUHK Medical Centre also reported a death involving a 93-year-old man who suffered from cancer and chronic disease. He received the second dose of the
vaccine last September and passed away on Thursday. His death was ruled as "death with
Covid," according to Lau.
Lau reported 15 more deaths between March 4 and April 6 due to delayed results, including five men and 10 women aged 73 to 107.
Two deceased patients were comparatively younger, including a 45-year-old woman and a 60-year-old man. The woman – a drinker – suffered from cirrhosis while the man suffered from cancer.
The overall death tally of the fifth wave now stands at 8,430, and the death rate at 0.72 percent.
As of yesterday, a total of 1,510 recovered patients have been discharged, while public hospitals and treatment facilities are housing 9,503 patients.