Latest news with #CentreforHealthProtection
RTHK
2 days ago
- Health
- RTHK
Covid to drop to lower level in a month or two: CHP
Covid to drop to lower level in a month or two: CHP Health authorities say various indicators, including the number of Covid patients seeking help, have shown that coronavirus activity has dropped. File photo: AFP Health authorities on Thursday said Covid activity in Hong Kong appears to be declining from its peak, but that it would take "a month or two" before reaching a lower level. The Centre for Health Protection said the percentage of respiratory samples testing positive for the coronavirus and the viral load in sewage samples have gone down in the week ending on May 24, compared to the period between May 11 and 17. The number of patients seeking medical help for Covid also dropped, the centre said in a statement. But the centre's controller, Edwin Tsui, noted that coronavirus activity would remain "relatively high" in the meantime. "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. The current active period is expected," he said. "Although the activity of Covid-19 has started to decline, with reference to previous data, we expect that it will remain at a relatively high level in the short term, and will take a month or two to gradually decline to a lower level." Tsui noted XDV and variants descended from it, including NB.1.8.1, have become the most prevalent strains in the SAR, according to genetic analysis. NB1.8.1 has been assigned as one of the "variants under monitoring" by the World Health Organization, but the body suggested that the risk it posed was low. To that, Tsui said Covid vaccines currently used in Hong Kong "can effectively prevent infection and severe disease", while urging high-risk individuals to "not take this lightly" and get inoculated with a booster shot.
HKFP
2 days ago
- Health
- HKFP
1-year-old in critical condition after Covid-19 infection
A one-year-old girl infected with Covid-19 is in critical condition, Hong Kong's health authorities have said, amid an increase in infections that began in mid-March. The infant had a fever and runny nose since Tuesday, and was brought to the accident and emergency room at Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital after experiencing convulsions, according to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Centre for Health Protection (CHP). She was diagnosed with Covid-19 complicated with encephalitis, or inflammation of the brain tissue. She is in critical condition and remains hospitalised in the paediatric intensive care unit. A preliminary investigation found that she had not been vaccinated for Covid-19 and had no travel history during the incubation period. Three people in her household experienced symptoms, of which two tested positive for Covid but had recovered. The CHP logged two separate cases of severe paediatric Covid-19 infections earlier this month, including a 17-month-old girl diagnosed with Covid-19, adenovirus and rhinovirus, complicated with croup, a respiratory infection. A 13-year-old girl was also diagnosed with Covid-19 complicated with pneumonia. The CHP said on Wednesday that Covid-19 has become an endemic disease with cyclical patterns. Overall Covid activity has continued to rise since mid-March, though the rate of increase in sewage and respiratory samples had slowed down in the week ending May 17 compared to the previous week. 'Relatively high level' According to a CHP report, the centre logged 977 positive nucleic acid test detections for Covid-19 between May 11 and 17, compared with the 1,042 in the previous week. Also in that week, 1,214 respiratory specimens tested positive for Covid-19, compared to the previous week's 1,205. 'Although the rate of increase in the COVID-19 activity level in Hong Kong has begun to slow down, the CHP expected the COVID-19 activity level to remain at a relatively high level in a short period of time,' the centre said in a Wednesday statement. It also reminded high-risk individuals, such as those who have underlying medical conditions or are immunocompromised, to get jabbed for Covid or receive booster shots. They should also take additional measures to protect themselves such as masking when in public. Covid vaccines in Hong Kong are still effective in preventing the dominant XDV strain, the centre said. The CHP's announcement came after the head of the paediatric infectious diseases unit at Princess Margaret Hospital, Mike Kwan, made similar calls earlier this month as he said the hospital's paediatric ward was 'full' of young unvaccinated Covid cases.
RTHK
3 days ago
- Health
- RTHK
New round of free breast cancer screenings kicks off
New round of free breast cancer screenings kicks off Thousands of women at high risk of breast cancer will enjoy free screenings as the government rolls out a new round of the Breast Cancer Screening Pilot Programme on June 10. Women aged 35 to 74 who carry genetic mutations leading to a higher risk of breast cancer or those with a strong family history of breast or ovarian cancer are eligible to participate in the scheme. They should also be asymptomatic and have no history of breast cancer. Those eligible will receive assessments and mammograms at seven designated clinics operated by three non-governmental organisations – Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation, United Christian Nethersole Community Health Service and Haven of Hope Christian Service Clinic. Registrations start tomorrow. Additional ultrasound tests will also be arranged for those in need. The head of the Centre for Health Protection's non-communicable disease branch, Anne Chee, said programme participants will not have to pay for the screening tests, which could cost up to HK$3,000 in the private sector. She said the three service providers have long-standing histories of providing health services for women. "We believe that through the collaboration with the NGOs, we can mobilise our community power in promoting health and offer an alternative service model to women in Hong Kong," she said, adding that the scheme will last for three years. Chee said breast cancer is the most common cancer among Hong Kong women, with more than 5,000 new cases being recorded in 2022 alone. She added that early detection could significantly bring down the mortality rate.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
COVID-19 surges in East and Southeast Asia
[Source] COVID-19 cases are climbing across East and Southeast Asia, with notable increases in Thailand, China, Hong Kong and Singapore. Health authorities attribute the rise to new Omicron subvariants and waning immunity. Thailand and China report sharp increases Thailand reported 33,030 new cases in the week ending May 17, more than doubling the 16,000 recorded the week before. Most infections were concentrated in Bangkok and nearby provinces. Health officials are urging high-risk groups to receive booster vaccinations and are monitoring hospital capacity. In China, COVID-19 positivity rates rose from 7.5% to 16.2% between March 30 and May 10 — the highest in a year. Trending on NextShark: Singapore and Hong Kong signal renewed wave Singapore recorded approximately 14,200 new COVID-19 cases in the week ending May 3, marking a 28% increase from the previous period. Hospitalizations rose by about 30%. In response, the Ministry of Health resumed weekly updates after nearly a year. In Hong Kong, the infection rate rose from 1.7% in mid-March to 11.4%, surpassing the August 2024 peak, according to the Centre for Health Protection. The city recorded 81 serious adult cases and 30 deaths over the past four weeks. Trending on NextShark: New subvariants behind surge The current wave across the region is attributed to Omicron subvariants LF.7 and NB.1.8, both from the JN.1 lineage. These variants exhibit higher transmissibility and may partially evade prior immunity. Common symptoms include sore throat, mild cough, fatigue and fever. Regional responses and precautions Trending on NextShark: In the Philippines, the Department of Health reported 1,774 COVID-19 cases as of May 3, down 87% from the same time last year. Weekly case numbers have slightly declined in recent weeks. Officials urge continued mask use in healthcare settings and early consultation for symptoms. Vietnam has confirmed 148 cases across 27 provinces and cities since early 2025, with no fatalities. The health ministry has directed hospitals to update response plans and enforce infection control protocols. India has expanded testing and surveillance amid rising regional cases. As of May 19, it reported 257 active cases nationwide with no significant rise in hospitalizations. Trending on NextShark: Health authorities across the region continue to promote preventive measures, including mask-wearing in crowded areas, hand hygiene and up-to-date vaccinations. This story is part of The Rebel Yellow Newsletter — a bold weekly newsletter from the creators of NextShark, reclaiming our stories and celebrating Asian American voices. Trending on NextShark: Subscribe free to join the movement. If you love what we're building, consider becoming a paid member — your support helps us grow our team, investigate impactful stories, and uplift our community. Subscribe here now! Download the NextShark App: Want to keep up to date on Asian American News? Download the NextShark App today!
Time of India
23-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Delhi hospitals told to be prepared amid rise in Covid cases
In view of the recent increase in Covid-19 cases, the Delhi government Friday issued an advisory, asking hospitals to prepare in terms of availability of beds, oxygen, medicines and vaccines. Experts however assured that there is no cause for immediate worry as there is currently no evidence that the new variants of Covid-19 are more transmissible or severe than earlier ones. "Ensure all the equipment's such as ventilators, Bi-pap, oxygen concentrators, PSA are in functional condition," it said. The health department directed adequate testing as per Covid guidelines. "Ensure Covid testing of 5% ILI cases and 100% SARI cases," it said. The government also asked health institutions to send all positive Covid samples for genome sequencing to Lok Nayak Hospital. It has also instructed all hospital staff to start wearing masks, as part of respiratory etiquettes. LF.7 and NB.1.8-both offshoots of coronavirus subvariant JN.1-are currently the most common variants, accounting for more than two-thirds of all sequenced cases in Singapore and Hong Kong. The latest spike is being attributed to waning immunity. The infection rate in Hong Kong has surged to 11.4% from 1.7% in mid-March, according to data from the Centre for Health Protection, under the department of health in Hong Kong. Gautam Menon, professor of physics and biology at Ashoka University, said India could see an increase in flu-like cases in the next few months. Mumbai has reported 95 new Covid cases in May-a significant uptick compared to Maharashtra's total of 106 since January, according to the state health department. Dr Sandeep Budhiraja, group medical director & senior director - Institute of Internal Medicine at Max Healthcare said India needs to remain vigilant. "Any such case which comes where there is a suspicion, especially a traveller, should be tested; genomic surveillance testing should be done, and of course, the person should then isolate himself or herself. At this stage, other than this, any mass advice for people at a larger population base is not required because India has yet not reported any increased number of cases," he said.
