Coronavirus | HK reports 4 new cases, tally touches 5,284

Hong Kong reported four new coronavirus infections on Friday (Oct. 23), including three imported cases, bringing the city’s overall tally to 5,284.

The sole local case was linked to a previous imported case, said the city’s Centre for Health Protection (CHP) in a press release issued on Friday afternoon.

The 29-year-old man living on Lamma Island was believed to be linked to a 52-year-old man who returned from Russia.

The three imported cases were a 74-year-old man from Pakistan, a 17-year-old woman from India and a 40-year-old man from the United States, according to the CHP.

A total of 117 patients are being treated in hospitals, including 13 in critical condition, according to the Hospital Authority.

Up to 30 people were allowed in local tour groups starting from Friday as the government aimed to ease pressure on the city’s coronavirus-shattered tourism business.

Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Edward Yau Tang-wah told local media that the government will provide a free virus test for guides of local tour groups next week.

He reminded the sector that the virus test result is usually valid for a few days to one week only, calling on tour guides not to exploit the loophole in the new rules.

(Source: China Daily)