Covid-19 activity in Hong Kong is starting to show signs of decline from a recent peak, but levels are expected to remain high for the next month or two.
The Centre for Health Protection on Thursday also urged high-risk groups to receive booster vaccinations to reduce the chances of serious complications or even death.
According to the centre, the latest data as of May 24 shows that both the viral load of Covid from sewage surveillance and the test positivity rate of respiratory samples began to decline in the previous week.
The rate of positive tests fell from 13.8 per cent in the week beginning on May 11 to 11.12 per cent in the following week.
As for sewage surveillance, the per capita Covid viral load decreased from 770,000 to 500,000 copies per litre over the same period.
“Besides, the consultation rate of Covid-19 cases at general outpatient clinics and sentinel private medical practitioner clinics also dropped,” a spokesman for the centre added.
Dr Edwin Tsui Lok-kin, controller of the centre, explained that the virus had transitioned into an endemic disease with cyclical patterns.
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Upsurges could typically be expected every six to nine months, he added.
“Hong Kong has experienced an upsurge in Covid-19 cases since April this year, more than half a year after the last increase in July and August of last year,” Tsui said.
“The current active period is expected.”
He said that the virus’ activity would be relatively high in the short term before gradually subsiding over the next month or two.
Authorities have reported six severe paediatric Covid cases so far this year, none of which have been fatal.
Two had underlying illnesses and four were unvaccinated.
Tsui said that severe cases primarily affected the elderly and children, as well as those with underlying conditions.
He called on residents who were unvaccinated, including infants, children and pregnant women, to get inoculated.
High-risk groups, especially the elderly and chronically ill, were encouraged to receive booster doses in a timely manner.
