Among the new infections, 2,791 were locally transmitted, including 1,104 confirmed via PCR tests and 1,687 verified positive RAT test results. The official caseload of the fifth wave now stands at 1,255,431.

The remaining 204 infections were imported cases, according to Chuang Shuk-kwan from the Centre for Health Protection. Seventy-four were detected at the airport, 108 at quarantine hotels and 21 were patients identified in local communities after completing the seven-day isolation.

The imported cases saw 56 traveling from the UK, 20 from Singapore, 17 from Thailand, and 15 each from Canada and the US.

The Hospital Authority didn't report any new death, meaning the death tally of the fifth wave remains at 9,197.

The authority also said they will be conducting a PCR test for patients from elderly homes before they are discharged, to ensure that they have truly recovered from Covid and they are no longer contagious and able to spread Covid to others.

Eight residents and workers from two elderly homes and two care centers for the disabled were infected with Covid, while 13 students at special school Chi Yun School in To Kwa Wan were ordered quarantine after a staffer there tested positive.

The center reported 43 new cases of the BA.2.12.1 Omicron subvariant and 16 cases of the BA.4 or BA.5 Omicron subvariant.

Public hospitals and treatment facilities are now housing 893 Covid patients. Among them, 18 are in critical condition, 22 are in serious condition, and four are staying in hospitals' intensive care units.

In the past 24 hours, 103 patients have recovered from Covid, and 92 of them have been discharged.