The controller of the Centre for Health Protection, Edwin Tsui, noted that it's the third day this week that daily infections have exceeded 1,000. There were a further 1,500 preliminary positive cases yesterday.
Tsui said Hong Kong was facing its toughest fight against COVID-19, more than two years after the novel coronavirus pandemic began.
Of the confirmed cases today all but five are local infections.
He noted that about 80 residents and staff members from 42 care homes had been infected in the current outbreak.
He said this was most worrying as many of the residents are unvaccinated and at risk of developing serious complications if they contract COVID-19.
Tsui said 1,500 units at the Penny's Bay quarantine centre have been used to isolate COVID-19 patients with no or mild symptoms.
He added that another 2,000 units will be vacated and used to isolate COVID-19 patients by tomorrow.
Hong Kong has a population of 7.5 million.
- RTHK, MPD
