HK detects first Omicron BA.5 infection, adds 1,043 Covid cases

Hong Kong reported its first case involving the new Omicron sub-variant BA.5 and added 1,043 new Covid-19 cases and 54 related deaths on Thursday. 

The sub-variant was discovered in South Africa and recently appeared on World Health Organization's radar that calls for further monitoring. 

Among the new cases, 579 were confirmed through PCR tests, including 23 imported cases. Fifteen of them arrived in Hong Kong on Tuesday, and the eight others arrived earlier. 

The remaining 464 cases were positive rapid antigen test results reported by citizens. 

The Centre for Health Protection's Chuang Shuk-kwan reported the official caseload of the fifth wave now stands at 1,182,707. 

She continued that the city detected its first imported case involving the Omicron BA.5 variant. The patient, a 24-year-old man, arrived in Hong Kong last Wednesday on flight ET6608 from South Africa via Ethiopia and Thailand. 

He tested negative when arriving at the airport and tested positive on the third and fourth day during his stay in the quarantine hotel. He developed symptoms last Saturday like low-grade fever and coughing. He has recovered and is now continuing his stay in the quarantine hotel. 

Chuang added that 26 Covid-hit elderly homes and care centers for the disabled reported new cases, including 17 residents and six workers. 

The hospital authority's chief manager for integrated clinical services, Larry Lee Lap-yip, reported 54 deaths, pushing the death tally of the fifth wave to 8,789. 

According to Lee, thirty-three deaths were logged by public hospitals yesterday, involving 17 men and 16 women aged between 57 and 101. Among them, 18 were residents of elderly homes, 25 had no vaccination record, and only one was aged below 65. 

The other 21 deaths recorded between March 3 and April 12 were reported late due to lagged results, including eight men and 13 women aged between 80 and 102. 

Chuang reminded citizens to pay attention to personal hygiene ahead of the Easter holidays but warned of a possible rebound in the infection figures as the Covid curbs will be relaxed starting April 21. 

She noted that the relaxation came after a thorough assessment and said authorities would keep an eye on the pandemic development. 

Public hospitals and treatment facilities are now housing 8,702 patients. Of them, seven are in critical condition, 13 are in serious condition, and 58 are in hospitals' intensive care units. A total of 1,507 recovered patients have been discharged in the past 24 hours.