Positive Covid-19 samples hit 1-year high in Hong Kong as 30 die in 4 weeks
Proportion of respiratory samples testing positive increased 7.5 per cent in four weeks, but health expert claims overall impact of virus is milder
A key indicator of Covid-19 levels in Hong Kong over the past four weeks has hit its highest rate in a year and 30 deaths have been recorded, despite an expert saying the overall impact of the virus had become milder.
The Centre for Health Protection said on Thursday the proportion of respiratory samples testing positive had increased to 13.7 per cent from 6.2 per cent four weeks prior in early April, marking a new high in a year.
Positive samples from sewage tests and patients at clinics and public hospitals were also increasing.
“With reference to the past data, we expected Covid activities will maintain at a relatively high level at least in the next few weeks,” centre controller Edwin Tsui Lok-kin said.
Thirty deaths were recorded over the past four weeks among 81 severe adult cases.
The centre’s epidemiological investigation found that 83 per cent of the severe cases involved patients aged 65 or older, with more than 90 per cent having pre-existing health conditions.