Hong Kong on Friday reported 4,696 local coronavirus cases as well as 188 imported infections.

A total of 1,411 Covid patients are currently being treated at public hospitals – ten of whom under intensive care.

A Chief Manager with the Hospital Authority (HA), Dr Gladys Kwan, said more patients will be prescribed Covid-19 antivirals as the eligibility is relaxed.

She said those with chronic illnesses will be entitled to the drugs regardless of their age and vaccination status.

However, she stressed the pills must be taken within five days of the onset of symptoms.

"We know that the earlier the better to have these antivirals because it helps to lower the viral load and it helps to shorten the time for getting the test result to negative. The patients can recover better," Kwan said.

Meanwhile, the HA reported a cluster of infections at a medical ward at Queen Mary Hospital.

It said an 85-year-old patient tested positive for Covid on July 24 before a scheduled surgery at the hospital.

Two other patients and four staff members who were in the same ward subsequently tested positive for the infection.

Five people with Covid passed away, including a woman who tested positive for the virus after falling from height.

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USEFUL LINKS
General Covid-19 situation: https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/
Community Clinics for Covid-19 patients: https://bit.ly/3a4BZFE
RAT reporting platform: https://www.chp.gov.hk/ratp/
Vaccination programme: https://www.covidvaccine.gov.hk/sen/
Vaccination pass scheme: https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/vaccine-pass.html
Hotline for Covid-positive patients: 1836 115