HONG KONG, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Hong Kong's Center for Health Protection (CHP) reported seven new imported cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, taking the total tally to 11,965.

People wearing masks are seen in a taxi in Hong Kong, south China, April 10, 2021. Hong Kong's Center for Health Protection (CHP) reported five more confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Saturday, taking its total tally to 11,568. (Photo: Xinhua)

The new imported cases involved patients arriving in Hong Kong from the United States, Japan, France, Iran and Bangladesh. A total of 15 cases have been reported in the past 14 days, including one import-related case, according to the CHP.

Carrie Lam, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, said the COVID-19 vaccination rate in Hong Kong continued to rise following the introduction of incentive schemes by various sectors.

Lam said the ideal rate of 70 percent or more could be reached by the end of September if the vaccination level is maintained at a high level.

Hong Kong launched a COVID-19 vaccination drive on Feb. 26, and more than 4.89 million doses have been administered so far. Some 2.85 million people, or about 41.9 percent of the eligible population, have taken at least one shot of the vaccine, and more than 2.03 million people have been fully vaccinated.