Hong Kong on Friday recorded 8,999 new Covid infections, including 131 imported cases.

Health officials reported 17 more Covid-related deaths, including a four-year-old boy who was chronically ill.

A chief manager with the Hospital Authority (HA), Sara Ho, said the boy tested positive with the coronavirus on September 13 and sought treatment at Tin Shui Wai Hospital two days later due to shortness of breath.

He was transferred to Tuen Mun Hospital shortly after, but his condition deteriorated suddenly and he passed away on Friday morning.

Ho said the boy had been double-jabbed with the Sinovac vaccine earlier this year, and the cause of his death will be investigated by the Coroner’s Court.

At present, 2,760 Covid patients are being treated in public hospitals. 51 of them are in critical condition, including 14 who are under intensive care.

The Centre for Health Protection’s Chuang Shuk-kwan noted the daily tally of new infections has gone up slightly from a few days ago, saying the increase may have to do with the long mid-autumn holiday over the weekend.

She said authorities have to observe for a longer period before they can decide whether the outbreak has peaked.

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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