Daily Covid Infections Fall To Just Over 8,000

Hong Kong health officials on Sunday reported 8,037 Covid cases.

That's down from 8,841 recorded on Saturday - and the second day in a row the tally has stayed below five digits.

Of the new infections, 3,555 were confirmed via PCR tests and 4,487 were reported on the rapid test declaration system.

All but two were local cases.

The Centre for Health Protection's Albert Au called on people not to let their guard down, saying the number of cases is still high and it could rebound if people move around much.

"We understand that after fighting Covid for two, three months, the public may be fatigued about observing social distancing measures," he told a daily Covid briefing.

"But, at this key juncture, please limit gatherings. People should stay at home, especially the elderly, and avoid cross family gatherings."

Asked why there had been a number of lockdowns recently at Kwong Fuk Estate, in Tai Po, Au said there were coronavirus outbreaks there - with around five percent of those tested coming back positive.

Another 151 people died with Covid, including 130 people who passed away at public hospitals in the past 24 hours.

Five of the deceased were aged 57 to 60. None of them had been vaccinated, but they all had underlying illnesses.

That pushed the total number of deaths in the current Covid wave to 7,039.