The Centre for Health Protection today said it is investigating 3,172 additional locally acquired COVID-19 cases, of which 449 were identified through nucleic acid tests and 2,723 via rapid antigen tests. Separately, 111 imported cases were detected. Furthermore, seven residential care homes for the elderly and five for disabled people logged 13 cases involving their residents. The Hospital Authority reported that 20 patients passed away in public hospitals. According to a preliminary analysis, the cause of death for nine patients was related to COVID-19, while that of the remaining 11 patients was unrelated. It also registered eight more critical cases, bringing the number of patients in critical condition to 93. Separately, to align with the Government’s cancellation of issuing isolation orders from tomorrow, the authority will, starting from the same day, announce at 8.30am and 1pm the information of general out-patient clinics (GOPC) quota reserved for COVID-19
Chief Executive Carrie Lam today held an engagement session with 90 Hong Kong members of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) via video conferencing to discuss topics such as the developments of Hong Kong and the Mainland.
The members spoke enthusiastically during the meeting and Mrs Lam listened attentively to their views on various areas, including their concerns about vaccination and expectations for early resumption of travel between people of Hong Kong and the Mainland, and local economic activities.
The Chief Executive emphasised that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will spare no effort in fighting the epidemic and taking forward the vaccination programme.
Noting that how Hong Kong is integrated into the overall development of the nation is a crucial issue, with the country’s 14th Five-Year Plan, the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Belt & Road Initiative to bring enormous opportunities to Hong Kong, Mrs Lam said it is of paramount importance to Hong Kong's future, particularly with regard to youth development.
She hopes that CPPCC Hong Kong members will work together with the Hong Kong SAR Government to strive for the support of the central authorities as well as the co-operation of the Guangdong Provincial Government and the Shenzhen Municipal Government to explore more room for Hong Kong's development.
Mrs Lam and the CPPCC Hong Kong members will attend the NPC and CPPCC meetings to be held in Beijing next month.
Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung, Secretary for Constitutional & Mainland Affairs Erick Tsang and Chief Executive's Office Director Chan Kwok-ki also attended the session.
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