Coronavirus pandemic

HK records over 100 Covid-19 cases for seventh straight day

Hong Kong reported 106 new infections on July 28, of which 98 were local and the remainder imported. PHOTO: EPA-EFE

For the seventh straight day, Hong Kong has recorded over 100 new Covid-19 cases. The health authorities yesterday said there were 106 new infections, of which 98 were local and the rest imported. This brings the total tally in the territory to 2,884, including 23 fatalities.

Ten of the deaths occurred in the past week. So far, 15 deaths have been recorded this month, with some linked to the spread in elderly care homes. The average age of those who died this month is 82.

Hospital Authority Chief Manager Sara Ho noted that Hong Kong's fatality rate so far is at 0.8 per cent, which is "not exceptionally high" when compared with that of those overseas.

She added that the epidemiology of the patients admitted in the current third wave of infections shows that a larger proportion of those who succumbed recently are past 65 years old, higher than in the second wave.

Asked if the Sept 6 Legislative Council elections will go ahead as planned, the authorities yesterday said that they were monitoring the pandemic closely. Local media, quoting sources, have reported that the government could soon announce a delay in the elections for a year.

Earlier in the day, Food and Health Secretary Sophia Chan told a local radio programme that she believed the number of local Covid-19 cases would drop over the next week or two, following the further tightening of rules.

Speaking on an RTHK radio programme, Professor Chan said latest figures showed that the transmission rate for the virus had dipped.

She added that at the start of the new wave of new cases earlier this month, the data showed that the transmission rate was one to four, that is, one individual could infect up to four others.

But this has now come down to one, Prof Chan noted.

The government on Monday further tightened social distancing measures in an attempt to contain local transmissions.

From today, the cap on public gatherings is two, down from four.

Masks have to be worn at all times in outdoor public places while dining in is banned at all eateries. The latter measure is expected to hit some 7,000 food and beverage operators.

Sports centres and swimming pools were added to the list of venues ordered to shut for seven days till Aug 4.

An initial list including gyms, amusement parks, cinemas, beauty parlours and nightclubs were ordered to shut on July 15 for a week. The closures were extended for a week till July 28 and now till Aug 4.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on July 29, 2020, with the headline HK records over 100 Covid-19 cases for seventh straight day. Subscribe