Ching Ming Appeal Issued Again Amid More Virus Cases

Health officials have again appealed to the public to defer grave sweeping rituals on Saturday, as another 43 coronavirus cases were recorded in the city.

Thousands visit cemeteries every year to mark the Ching Ming Festival and pay respects to their ancestors.

The government has been putting in place various measures to reduce people crowding together amid the coronavirus outbreak and Undersecretary for Health Chui Tak-yi appealed to grave sweepers not to crowd together at cemeteries as they pay tribute to their ancestors.

He said people should consider deferring their trips to graves or go after the weekend when it's quieter, because of the serious epidemic situation.

At a daily briefing, the officials said all but nine of the latest 43 coronavirus cases had been overseas recently.

They are yet to work out how three of the local infections came about, but the others are linked to previously confirmed cases or a cluster involving bars and musicians.

The total number of Covid-19 cases recorded in Hong Kong stood at 845 as of 4pm on Friday.

Replying to a question, a chief manager at the hospital authority, Lau Ka-hin, said at this stage, public hospitals are not planning to disinfect and reuse N95 face masks as done in some overseas countries.

He said there are two months' worth of N95 masks left in stock, and officials have been looking for more supplies or alternatives.

Lau also urged people to donate blood, saying reserves are rather low at the moment.