The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) today announced that local COVID-19 activity in Hong Kong is expected to increase further in the coming few weeks. As such, it advised that all sectors of the community should enhance personal hygiene and protection measures, including receiving the initial dose of the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible.

Those in high-risk priority groups should receive a booster dose in a timely manner to minimise the risk of serious complications and death after infection.

CHP Controller Dr Edwin Tsui said: “According to the latest surveillance data as of the week ending April 19, the viral load of the SARS-CoV-2 virus from sewage surveillance, the test positivity rate and the average consultation rate of COVID-19 cases in general outpatient clinics have continued to rise over the past four weeks.

“In particular, the percentage of respiratory samples testing positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus increased to 8.21% from 1.71% four weeks ago, a record high in the past six months.”

Meanwhile, the viral load per capita of the SARS-CoV-2 virus was around 440,000 copy/litre, a significant increase from 260,000 copy/litre four weeks ago. Sewage surveillance data also showed that the local prevalence of XDV was on the rise.

Dr Tsui pointed out: “As XDV is a JN.1-related variant, the COVID-19 vaccines currently used in Hong Kong are still effective in preventing it.”

Furthermore, in the past four weeks, the CHP recorded 40 severe cases related to COVID-19, including 10 fatal cases. The majority of the patients are aged 65 or above.

“More than 90%of them had not received a COVID-19 vaccine in the past six months,” added Dr Tsui.

He urged members of the public who are yet to receive the initial dose of the COVID-19 jab to get vaccinated as soon as possible. He also noted that those at high risk, particularly the elderly and people with underlying comorbidities, should receive a booster dose for effective prevention against COVID-19 to minimise the risk of serious complications and death after infection.

In light of the Easter holiday, the upcoming Labour Day and Buddha’s Birthday holidays, as well as the recent increase in COVID-19 activity in the community, the Hospital Authority activated service demand surge special measures since April 14 to cope with the potential increase in service demand.