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 decreased to $372.8 billion in March, down 8.9% compared with the same month last year, the Census & Statistics Department announced today.
The value of imports of goods fell 6% to $410 billion for the same period.
A trade deficit of $37.3 billion, or 9.1% of the value of imports, was recorded for the month.
Comparing the first quarter this year with the preceding quarter on a seasonally adjusted basis, the value of total exports decreased 2.9%, while that of imports fell 1.8%.
The Government said the value of merchandise exports turned to a year-on-year decrease in March amid moderating external demand and epidemic-induced disruptions to cross-boundary cargo flows between the Mainland and Hong Kong. A high base of comparison was also relevant.
Exports to the Mainland and the EU fell while those to the US posted decelerated growth. Exports to other major Asian markets saw mixed performance.
Looking ahead, elevated global inflation, major central banks’ monetary policy tightening, as well as heightened geopolitical tensions will continue to weigh on the global economic outlook, posing challenges to Hong Kong’s export performance.
Nonetheless, the stabilised local epidemic of late should be conducive to the gradual alleviation of cross-boundary transportation disruptions, thus rendering some support, the Government added.
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