Girl Critical As HK Reports Over 5,000 Covid Cases

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) says an unvaccinated 5-year-old girl is in critical condition in Tuen Mun Hospital, after contracting Covid. She was admitted on Friday night after running a fever, and testing positive using a rapid antigen test.

Speaking at the CHP's daily press briefing, a chief manager with the Hospital Authority, Gladys Kwan, said the girl's condition had worsened quickly and she was now in intensive care.

"Whether [her Covid infection] is causing encephalitis or other conditions, we are still doing the investigation. So at this point it is quite difficult for us to draw a conclusion," she said.

"But we believe there is a chance that... because previously there was a similar case where the child didn't have any vaccination but when they had Covid, they are more susceptible to some central nervous system inflammation or encephalitis."

Dr Kwan urged parents to get their children vaccinated as soon as possible, saying it was the most effective way to prevent serious illness, or death, due to the coronavirus.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong's daily Covid caseload has come in at its highest since April, with health officials reporting 5,308 Covid cases, of which 160 were imported.

Another 220 people with Covid, including 19 children below the age of three, have been admitted to hospital.

Just over 1,600 people with Covid are now being treated in public hospitals, including 11 who are in intensive care.

Separately, there were three more Covid-related deaths, involving three women aged between 85 and 91.

One of the patients, 91, had received four jabs against Covid.

Kwan said the deceased, who was discharged from hospital after a Covid infection in July, fainted at home on Friday. She had already passed away when she was sent to hospital.

Kwan said her case would be followed up by the coroner's court.

The official called on elderly patients to seek medical attention as soon as possible even if they only had mild symptoms, saying signs like a sore throat or a poor appetite could precede a deterioration in their condition.

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