Hong Kong logs 986 Covid infections and one death

Hong Kong on Thursday reported another 986 Covid-19 infections, all but one of them locally transmitted.

There were also around 800 preliminary positive cases.

The Centre for Health Protection said some of the cases are linked to DB Plaza in Discovery Bay and the shopping mall has been ordered to close for thorough disinfection.

The centre’s Dr Chuang Shuk-kwan said more infections have emerged from several elderly homes around the city, resulting in dozens of residents and staff being taken into quarantine.

Meanwhile, a chief manager with the Hospital Authority, Larry Lee, said a 94-year-old chronically ill Covid patient had passed away. She was unvaccinated.

Three patients, meanwhile, were critically ill on Thursday, while six were in a serious condition.

Lee added that a special subsidy would be provided for more frontline medical staff, as he thanked workers for their contributions in fighting the pandemic.

Speaking at the same press conference, Food and Health Undersecretary Chui Tak-yi again called on people to get vaccinated as soon as possible, saying this is the most effective means of protection amid the worsening pandemic.

He also urged people to cooperate with the authorities and adhere to the government’s latest anti-epidemic measures.

Chui added that the government has arranged for queueing tickets to be distributed at a number of testing facilities to shorten the waiting time for those required to have tests.