Daily COVID-19 cases crossed the 10,000 mark in Hong Kong for the first time since the start of the pandemic as the city recorded 59 more deaths.
The Centre for Health Protection reported 10,010 confirmed infections on Friday, with all but four locally transmitted.
The center was also notified by public and private facilities of 21,979 cases that are pending confirmation.
The city saw 47 more deaths on Thursday. They include a previously announced 9-year-old who suffered from a chronic illness. The oldest was 100 years old.
The Hospital Authority said four of them received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, while one was jabbed once.
A total of 27 lived in a residential home.
Most of the 47 are elderly, with 41 aged 65 or above.
Five of those below the age of 65 had a chronic disease, while one had a history of drug abuse.
Due to a delay in reporting, the authority said there were 12 more deaths from Monday to Wednesday. They were aged between 45 and 95.
A total of 314 COVID-19 patients have died in public hospitals in the current wave of the pandemic.
As of last night, 51 patients were in critical condition, including a five-year-old girl. She had a fever for a few days before admission to the Hong Kong Children’s Hospital. She also vomited, had chest discomfort and presented a fast heart rate.
A total of 48 are in serious condition.
Lau Ka-hin, the Hospital Authority’s chief manager for quality and standards, addressed concerns of parents who could not stay in isolation rooms with their children diagnosed with COVID-19.
He said the authority did not recommend parents and caretakers who were not infected to stay in the isolation rooms with their children. But he added special cases — such as mothers who are breastfeeding — can be arranged to do so if hospital operations permit.
“I hope parents can understand that isolation rooms in hospitals are very congested. We do not have much space for family members to stay. If there is space, we will prioritize taking in more children,” said Lau.
He added hospitals will arrange daily updates for parents on their children’s condition, as well as video or phone calls with the children.
