Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
DH urges public to maintain personal and environmental hygiene as COVID-19 and influenza activities continue to rise
COVID-19
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Surveillance data revealed that overall local COVID-19 activity has been on an upward trend since June. The percentage of respiratory samples testing positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus rose from less than 1 per cent at the end of May to 9.79 per cent last week (July 5 to 11). During the same period, there was also a significant increase in the consultation rate of COVID-19 cases at Accident and Emergency Departments, family medicine clinics and sentinel private medical practitioner clinics. Regarding sewage surveillance, the viral load per capita of the SARS-CoV-2 virus was approximately 500 000 copies per litre, a significant increase from less than 100 000 copies per litre before the end of May. Over the past four weeks, the CHP recorded a total of 45 COVID-19 severe cases involving adults (including seven fatal cases). Epidemiological investigations showed that 80 per cent of these cases involved persons aged 65 or above. More than 90 per cent of these elderly cases had underlying illnesses. All of these cases had not received a booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine within the past six months. As for children, the CHP recorded two severe cases in June. Neither of them had received COVID-19 vaccination.
“The latest surveillance data indicated that COVID-19 activity has entered a new periodic active cycle. The COVID-19 activity in neighbouring regions has also recorded an increase in recent months, including the Chinese Mainland, the Macao Special Administrative Region, Japan, Korea and Singapore. Over the past few years, an active period of COVID-19 activity levels generally occurs approximately every six to nine months in Hong Kong. Each active period is associated with changes in predominant circulating variants and a decline in community herd immunity. The active period last year lasted from April to the end of June. Based on historical epidemiological data, we expect COVID-19 activity to remain relatively high level over the next one to two months,” said the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui.
“COVID-19 vaccines are effective in reducing hospitalisation and death rates after infection. High-risk individuals should receive a booster dose at appropriate times six months after their last vaccine dose or COVID-19 infection, whichever is later, regardless of the number of doses previously received. COVID-19 vaccine for adults under the Government’s COVID-19 Vaccination Programme (the Programme) will expire in early September this year. The Government is procuring a new batch of COVID-19 vaccine according to the recommendations
Seasonal influenza
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The Government is actively making preparations for the 2026/27 Seasonal Influenza Vaccination programmes, including vaccine procurement and publicity. Details of the arrangements, such as eligible groups and vaccination venues, will be announced in due course.
To prevent respiratory diseases, members of the public should maintain good personal, hand and environmental hygiene at all times. Given the current high levels of respiratory disease activity, high-risk individuals should wear surgical masks when visiting public places. The general public should also wear surgical masks when taking public transport or staying in crowded places. Those with symptoms of a respiratory infection, even if mild, should wear a surgical mask, avoid crowded areas and seek medical advice promptly. If symptomatic individuals live with high-risk or immunocompromised persons, they should also wear a surgical mask at home to minimise the risk of cross-infection. They should also ensure proper ventilation indoors and enhance the cleaning and disinfection of the household environment.
Members of the public planning to travel outside Hong Kong during the summer vacation should visit the DH’s Travel Health Service webpageIssued at HKT 19:30
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