Health authorities on Monday said a rising daily number of Covid-19 cases is picking up pace, as they reported an additional 6,617 infections.

Among the new cases, 6,380 were local infections and the rest involved recent arrivals to the city.

"For four days in a row, the number of local cases has been over 6,000 per day, so it has picked up a rising trend, and this is worrying," said Albert Au from the Centre for Health Protection.

He called on the public to be diligent in protecting themselves against the virus.

"When you're in a crowd or gatherings, please wear a tightly fitted face mask... and for those who are not yet vaccinated, please do so as soon as possible," he urged.

The appeal came as the authorities reopened AsiaWorld-Expo as a makeshift treatment centre.

The Hospital Authority said it had prepared 200 beds and about 100 medical staff would be on hand there.

The authority also reported that 2,100 Covid patients were receiving treatment in public hospitals, 11 of them in intensive care.

Five more coronavirus patients, aged between 63 and 96, had died.

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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