The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) on Saturday reported 363 new Covid infections – similar to the figure from the previous day.

Of the new cases, 190 were confirmed via PCR tests and 173 through rapid antigen tests.

There were 25 imported cases and 10 newly reported deaths.

At a media briefing, Dr Chuang Shuk-kwan of the CHP expressed the hope that the outbreak would continue to ease, but added the authorities do not have an estimate on when infection figures would drop to double digits.

"The Omicron variant is infectious. There could be millions of people who haven't been infected and people could be infected even after vaccination.

“Cases could rebound as people gather more often in view of a relaxation of social distancing measures. We're also facing pressure in terms of imported cases as the global pandemic continues," she said.

Among the imported infections recorded in Hong Kong recently, Chuang noted that there had been 10 cases with the new Omicron sub-variants BA.2.12 and BA.2.12.1.

All of the cases were detected on arrival or during quarantine, she added.

Chuang said the strains are sub-lineages of the highly contagious BA.2 Omicron variant, and that some studies have shown they are more transmissible.

She added the authorities will monitor the situation.
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