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 value of Hong Kong’s total goods exports increased to $433.7 billion in August, up 25.9% on the same month last year, the Census & Statistics Department announced today.
The value of imports of goods jumped 28.1% to $460 billion for the same period.
A trade deficit of $26.3 billion, or 5.7% of the value of imports, was recorded for the month.
Comparing the three-month period ending August with the preceding three months on a seasonally adjusted basis, the value of exports increased 3.3%, while that of imports rose 3.7%.
The Government said the value of merchandise exports sustained notable year-on-year growth in August.
Exports to the Mainland, the US, the EU and many other Asian economies showed visible increases.
The total merchandise trade value amounted to $6.5099 trillion for the first eight months of the year, surpassing the high in the same period in 2018 by 12.8%, it added.
Looking ahead, the global economic recovery and vibrant regional trade flows should continue to support Hong Kong’s export performance in the near term.
However, the uncertainties on the economic outlook cast by the COVID-19 pandemic development, China-US relations and heightened geopolitical tensions also warrant attention, the Government noted.
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