COVID-19 & F LU E XPRESS
Local Situation of COVID-19 Activity (as of Sep 16, 2026)
Reporting period: Sep 6, 2026 – Sep 12, 2026 (Week 37)
The latest surveillance data showed that the overall local activity of COVID-19 was at a low
level.
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) has been closely monitoring the local prevalence
of SARS-CoV-2 variants. The latest sewage surveillance data and genetic analysis of
positive respiratory specimens showed that PQ.16.1.1 is the most prevalent variant in
Hong Kong. PQ.16.1.1 is a descendant lineage of NB.1.8.1, which is a descendant of JN.1.
The World Health Organization (WHO) listed PQ.16.1.1 as a variant under monitoring
(VUM) on Jul 27, 2026. The WHO stated that existing COVID-19 vaccines are expected to
be effective against PQ.16.1.1, and there is no evidence to suggest that PQ.16.1.1 will
cause more serious diseases.
Members of the public are advised to maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene
at all times for personal protection against COVID-19 infection and prevention of the
spread of the disease in the community. High-risk people (e.g. persons with underlying
medical conditions or persons who are immunocompromised) should adopt additional
measures to protect themselves such as wearing mask properly when going to public
places. For other details, please visit the COVID-19 information page
(
https://www.chp.gov.hk/en/healthtopics/content/24/102466.html).
Members of the public are advised to take note of the latest recommendations on the use
of COVID-19 vaccines in Hong Kong to protect themselves from serious outcomes of
COVID-19. High-risk priority groups are recommended to receive a dose of COVID-19
vaccine at least six months since the last dose or infection, regardless of the number of
doses received previously. For more details, please visit
(
https://www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/consensus_recommendations_on_the_use_of_covid-1
9_vaccines_in_hong_kong_oct2025.pdf).
For the latest information on COVID-19 and prevention measures, please visit the
thematic website of COVID-19 (
https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/index.html).
Laboratory surveillance for COVID-19 cases
Positive nucleic acid test laboratory detections for severe acute respiratory syndrome
coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus
(Note: The data reported are provisional figures and subject to further revision.)
In week 37, the weekly number of newly recorded positive nucleic acid test laboratory detections for
SARS-CoV-2 virus was 57 as compared to 86 in the preceding week. (Figure 1.1)
In the first 4 days of week 38 (Sep 13 – Sep 16), the daily number of newly recorded positive nucleic
acid test laboratory detections for SARS-CoV-2 virus ranged from 2 to 6.
Since Jan 30, 2023, the cumulative number of positive nucleic acid test laboratory detections was
89,634 (as of Sep 16, 2026).
continued. -snip-
Local Situation of Influenza Activity (as of Sep 16, 2026)
Reporting period: Sep 6 – 12, 2026 (Week 37)
Hong Kong is in influenza season.
The latest surveillance data showed that the overall influenza
activity remained at a very high level.
Influenza can cause serious illnesses in high-risk individuals and even healthy persons. Given that
seasonal influenza vaccines are safe and effective, all persons aged 6 months or above except those
with known contraindications are recommended to receive influenza vaccine to protect themselves
against seasonal influenza and its complications, as well as related hospitalisations and deaths.
2026/27 Seasonal Influenza Vaccination (SIV) Programmes, including the SIV School Outreach
Programme (SIVSOP), the Residential Care Home Vaccination Programme and the Vaccination
Subsidy Scheme (VSS), has commenced on September 17. Eligible persons can receive free or
subsidised vaccinations through the SIV Programmes. The public may visit the CHP's Vaccination
Schemes page for more details of the vaccination programmes
(
https://www.chp.gov.hk/en/features/17980.html).
Apart from getting influenza vaccination, members of the public should always maintain good
personal and environmental hygiene.
For the latest information on seasonal influenza and its prevention, please visit the Centre for
Health Protection's Seasonal Influenza page
(
http://www.chp.gov.hk/en/view_content/14843.html).
Influenza-like-illness surveillance among sentinel family medicine clinics and sentinel private medical practitioner clinics, 2022-26
In week 37, the average consultation rate for influenza-like illness (ILI) among sentinel family medicine
clinics (FMC) was 17.8 ILI cases per 1,000 consultations, which was higher than 17.2 recorded in the
previous week (Figure 2.1, left). The average consultation rate for ILI among sentinel private medical
practitioner (PMP) clinics was 49.8 ILI cases per 1,000 consultations, which was higher than 47.8
recorded in the previous week (Figure 2.1, right).
-snip-
Laboratory surveillance, 2022-26
Among the 10,275 respiratory specimens* received in week 37, 1,301 (12.66%) were tested positive
for seasonal influenza A or B viruses. Among the subtyped influenza detections, there were 1,091 (86%)
influenza A(H1), 120 (9%) influenza A(H3) and 64 (5%) influenza B viruses.
The positive percentage
(12.66%) was above the baseline threshold of 4.94% but was lower than 13.05% recorded in the
previous week (Figure 2.2).
-snip-
Surveillance of antiviral susceptibility of influenza A and B viruses
The Public Health Laboratory Services Branch of the Centre for Health Protection tests virus isolates
of influenza viruses obtained from cell culture for reduced antiviral susceptibility. For influenza
A(H1) viruses, genotypic assay for H275Y substitution (which confers resistance to oseltamivir) is
also performed on selected clinical specimens.
In July 2026, there were no new reports of influenza viruses with reduced susceptibility to
oseltamivir and baloxavir. There were also no reports of influenza A(H1) virus with H275Y
substitution.
For the results of previous months, please refer to the following webpage:
The information intends to provide a profile on the proportion of strains with reduced antiviral susceptibility. The date refers to specimen reception by the laboratory. Numbers and trends presented here should be interpreted in light of the small specimen numbers in particular categories...
www.chp.gov.hk
The detection rates of oseltamivir-resistant influenza A and B viruses remain low (less than 5%)
according to latest surveillance data of overseas countries.
continued: https://www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/covid_flux_week37_17_9_2026_eng.pdf
