Health authorities on Monday said they had recorded 10,021 new Covid cases, as they voiced concern that upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations may spur infections in the community.

The newly reported cases included 9,869 local infections, while the rest were classified as imported.

More than 2,900 Covid patients were being treated in hospital, 16 of them under intensive care. The deaths of another eight Covid patients were announced.

"We're worried as we believe people will go out more with their families and have some dinners and gathers during the Mid-Autumn Festival," said Albert Au from the Centre for Health Protection.

He appealed to the public to avoid cross-family gatherings and observe the social distancing measures in place.

Au also repeated the government's call for parents to get their children vaccinated against Covid.

"There is ample scientific evidence that vaccination can decrease the rate of hospitalisation, ICU admission, [illness] severity and also death among all age groups, including children," he said.

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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