The Centre for Health Protection today said it is investigating two additional imported COVID-19 cases, one of which involves the L452R mutant strain while the mutation test result of the other case remains pending.

The cases concern two men aged 50 and 75. One of them arrived from a high-risk place and the other one arrived from a high-risk place with enhanced surveillance.

Additionally, two more confirmed COVID-19 cases were found to carry the Omicron variant, the centre noted.

Case number 12490 involves a 62-year-old man who flew in from the UK on flight CX252 on December 10, while case number 12491 entails a 50-year-old woman who travelled with him. Both of them tested positive upon arrival in Hong Kong.

The man received two doses of the BioNTech vaccine on July 1 and 22 in Hong Kong, while the woman received two doses of the same vaccine in the city on June 24 and July 15.

Both patients had been asymptomatic with a cycle threshold (Ct) value of less than 30 and tested positive for the antibody test.

The whole genome sequencing conducted by the Department of Health’s Public Health Laboratory Services Branch confirmed that the patients carried the Omicron variant of concern.

So far, there are seven cases involving the Omicron variant in Hong Kong. As all seven cases were detected at the airport restricted area or at a designated quarantine hotel, the centre considers that there has not been a spread in the community.

Meanwhile, specified people linked to the Kimberley Hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui are reminded to undergo testing tomorrow in compliance with the compulsory testing notice.

In view of a preliminary positive imported case who had stayed in Hong Kong during the incubation period and a non-locally confirmed case who had stayed in Hong Kong, eight specified premises are included in the compulsory testing notice.

Regarding another previous imported case which involves a patient who had stayed in Hong Kong during the incubation period, people who had been at five specified premises during the specified period have to undergo additional testing.

Three schools are also covered in the notice due to outbreaks of upper respiratory tract infection and influenza-like illness.

The service period of the mobile specimen collection station at Tsuen Wan Park and mobile specimen collection trucks at Kwai Tsing District, Sha Tin District, North District and Yuen Long District will be extended to December 31.

A total of 61 cases were reported in Hong Kong in the past 14 days, all of which are imported.

For information and health advice on COVID-19, visit the Government's dedicated webpage.