Daily Covid Caseload Surpasses 5,000

Hong Kong's daily Covid tally topped the 5,000 mark on Thursday and health authorities said infections haven't peaked yet.

The Centre for Health for Protection reported 5,020 cases, 247 of them imported, for the day.

Chuang Shuk-kwan from the centre said the number of cases is rising gradually. She urged people to remain vigilant and get tested if they feel unwell.

Chuang added the government has no plans to tighten social distancing rules.

Three Covid patients died in the past day, all of whom suffered from chronic illnesses.

A chief manager of the Hospital Authority, Lau Ka-hin, said there has been an outbreak at the tuberculosis and chest ward at TWGHs Wong Tai Sin Hospital following a compassionate visit to a 94-year-old patient on Tuesday.

A family member tested positive for Covid the next day, and a total of four patients in the same ward were infected, including the 94-year-old who died on Thursday.

Lau said they were not sure about the source of infection and there are no plans to tighten compassionate visits, though health officials would remind visitors to observe rules.

Another 172 Covid patients were admitted to hospital, taking the total number to 1,515. Seven patients were in intensive care.