Residents wearing face mask walk at a residential estate in Cheung Sha Wan, Hong Kong, Sept 3, 2020. (PARKER ZHENG / CHINA DAILY)

HONG KONG - Hong Kong saw eight new COVID-19 infections on Wednesday, including seven imported cases, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) said.

In a statement issued on Wednesday afternoon, the CHP said the total number of confirmed coronavirus infections in the city stood at 5,269.

The sole new local case involved a 66-year-old man who developed symptoms of the disease on Oct 19. He was linked to a previous patient, the Centre for Health Protection said

It said the sole new local case involved a 66-year-old man who developed symptoms of the disease on Oct 19. He was linked to a previous patient, according to the CHP.

The seven imported cases included three from Belgium, and one each from Ethiopia, India, the Philippines and the United States, the CHP added.

According to the Hospital Authority, 124 confirmed COVID-19 patients were being treated as of Wednesday in 18 public hospitals, including 13 patients in critical condition and five in serious condition. 

A day earlier, the Hong Kong government slightly relaxed restrictions on wedding celebrations and local tour groups.  

ALSO READ: HK sees 5 new virus cases, curbs on weddings, local tours eased

Speaking on a public radio program on Wednesday, David Hui Shu-cheong, a respiratory disease expert from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, said people with chronic illnesses or a weak immune system should not participate in these tour groups, which can now include up to 30 people. 

Hui, a government adviser who sits on its anti-COVID-19 panel, said it is understandable that government wants to help the city’s battered tourism sector, and that transmission risks can be reduced as long as tour participants strictly comply with infection control guidelines.