Customers (center) leave a shop in Hong Kong on December 22, 2022. (ISAAC LAWRENCE / AFP)
HONG KONG - Hong Kong recorded 14,113 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday, a slight decrease from the 15,850 infections on Saturday, while 66 more patients passed away.
The new cases included 13,682 local infections and 431 imported cases. The 66 reported deaths brought the city’s toll during the current fifth wave of infections to 12,129.
The CHP said 18 residential care homes for the elderly and persons with disabilities had 29 new cases involving 23 residents and six staff members.
The CHP said 18 residential care homes for the elderly and persons with disabilities had 29 new cases involving 23 residents and six staff members
As of Sunday, Public Health Laboratory Services Branch had identified 227 cases of sub-lineage XBB, 38 BQ1.1, 13 BF.7, eight BA.2.75.2, seven BA.4.6, and six XBD among imported cases in Hong Kong.
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There were also 198 BQ1.1, 173 XBB, 27 BF.7, 18 XBD, and 1 BA.2.75.2 cases that had been detected among local cases.
The CHP added that 50.98 percent of new cases verified from Dec 30, 2022 to Jan 5, 2023 were linked to the BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron subvariants.
LeaveHomeSafe
Meanwhile, the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer announced on Sunday that after the relaxation of different anti-pandemic measures, the "LeaveHomeSafe" system has ceased operation and the app will not be further updated, according to a government statement.
The "LeaveHomeSafe" telephone hotline and the mobile support stations at 25 MTR stations for supporting the Vaccine Pass measure also ceased operation from today onwards.
The OGCIO also received instruction from the Department of Health to delete all visit records in the system previously uploaded from "LeaveHomeSafe" mobile app of confirmed cases. The OGCIO said it has complied with the directive and deleted the records.
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Members of the public who have downloaded the "LeaveHomeSafe" mobile app may keep it in their mobile phones should they wish to make use of some of its functions, such as the PCR Testing Registration Code.
