HK adds 10,426 Covid cases as Albert Au reappears after infection rumors

Hong Kong saw the daily Covid-19 caseload reach five-digit again after counting 10,426 infections on Saturday, while a health officer, reportedly infected and under quarantine, reappeared after more than a week.

The Centre for Health Protection's principal medical and health officer, Albert Au Ka-wing, could finally be spotted by the public as he attended today's Covid briefing. The last time he attended the briefing was Thursday last week amid rumors he caught Covid after a family member had it and was undergoing quarantine.

Many reporters asked about Au's well-being today, but he refused to comment, saying it was not fit for him to talk about his health at a government briefing.

Yet, Au's infection was hinted at by expert advisor Yuen Kwok-yung, who wished him a speedy recovery when presenting a slideshow with photos of Au on Thursday.

Among the new infections, 10,222 were locally transmitted, including 3,051 confirmed via PCR and 7,171 verified positive RAT results.

Au also logged 204 imported cases – 65 detected at the airport, 61 in quarantine hotels and facilities, and 78 in local communities.

Hospital Authority's chief manager for quality and standards Lau Ka-hin, reported seven deaths, pushing the death tally of the fifth wave to 9,503.

Public hospitals recorded six deaths involving three men and three women aged 77 to 94, while the forensic examiner reported the last one – a 69-year-old man. Among them, three had yet to receive the booster, and two were unvaccinated.

Nine elderly homes and a care center for the disabled saw 11 residents and two workers infected with Covid. A total of 69 residents were listed as close contacts and were ordered to undergo quarantine.

The condition of a 15-month-old girl in United Christian Hospital was downgraded from critical to serious, while the 17-month-old boy in Princess Margaret Hospital remained in serious condition. Yet, a five-year-and-nine-month-old girl is still fighting for her life in the intensive care unit of Tuen Mun Hospital.

Public hospitals and treatment facilities are now housing 2,739 Covid patients. Among them, 61 are in critical condition, 51 are in serious condition, and 16 are in hospital intensive care. As of Saturday, 318 patients have recovered, and 286 have been discharged.
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