Hong Kong Reports 313 New Covid Cases

Health authorities say the Covid epidemic in Hong Kong remains on a steady and slow decline, even though the city saw a slight increase in new infections on Wednesday.

Twenty-two of the day's 313 new cases were imported, with two found via community testing centres after the patients completed their hotel quarantine.

Three more people infected with Covid have died, including a 59-year-old man who was found unconscious in his isolation room at the Penny's Bay facility.

Medical workers were sent to provide first-aid, but the patient passed away after he was rushed to hospital.

Larry Lee, a chief manager of the Hospital Authority (HA), said the man suffered from chronic illnesses and the coroner will look into the death.

"The patient might have had some chronic illnesses, but his condition was not too bad... If patients went to the Penny's Bay isolation facility, and their health conditions changed, with medics on site unable to handle the situation, we would transfer the patient to nearby community treatment facilities or hospitals," he said.

"But the Hospital Authority isn't involved in deciding which patients get sent to community isolation facilities. If relevant government departments think the HA can provide assessments going forward, we are willing to cooperate."

Meanwhile, health officials sidestepped questions on whether the government is suspending the operation of six makeshift Covid hospitals next week.

Labour sector lawmaker Dennis Leung revealed the development, saying around 5,400 members of staff will be losing their jobs as a result.

Albert Au from the Centre for Health Protection said some community isolation facilities might be put on standby but not all facilities will be closed, as there are still infections in the community.

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