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
The Government today said it will allow flights from the UK and Ireland to resume on May 7, subject to no significant change to the epidemic situation in Hong Kong and in relevant overseas places.
It made the decision after having considered the stabilising local epidemic situation and the relatively satisfactory vaccination rate in the UK and Ireland.
Hong Kong residents in the two places may board flights for Hong Kong and would be subject to the most stringent compulsory quarantine and testing arrangements upon arrival in the city.
They must have obtained a negative COVID-19 test result with samples taken 72 hours prior to departure as well as confirmation of a 21-night room reservation in a designated quarantine hotel.
Upon arrival in Hong Kong, they will be subject to the test-and-hold arrangement for obtaining a negative result at the airport, after which they will be subject to a 21-day compulsory quarantine in the designated quarantine hotel undergoing at least three tests during the period, and compulsory testing on the 26th day of arrival after completion of quarantine.
Considering that the epidemic situation is still unstable in the existing extremely high-risk places such as India, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Brazil and South Africa, the Government will continue to restrict people who have stayed in those places from boarding a flight for Hong Kong.
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