The Centre for Health Protection today said it is investigating 55,353 additional COVID-19 cases, of which 27 are imported and the rest are locally infected.

A total of 211,323 positive cases were recorded in the past 14 days, comprising 98 imported and 211,225 locally acquired cases.

Meanwhile, the Hospital Authority reported that 117 additional patients infected with COVID-19 have passed away.

The Food & Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today said that its five crematoria have significantly increased their cremation sessions and extended service hours till the evening with a view to alleviating the pressure on public mortuaries and hospital mortuaries.

It urged the funeral business sectors and bereaved families of the deceased to handle after-death arrangements as early as possible.

In response to the recent keen demand for cremation services, the FEHD has increased the daily cremation sessions from 130 to 140 to the current 180 to 200.

Except for Cheung Chau, all crematoria have extended their service hours till after 8pm to offer more sessions for the public. Currently, there is still capacity of the cremation sessions which will be further increased as and when necessary.

Separately, the Government made restriction-testing declarations to cover five buildings where sewage samples tested positive for the virus.

They include Yiu Shing House, Tin Yiu (I) Estate in Tin Shui Wai, Block 11, Mayfair Gardens in Tsing Yi, Chun Yat House, Chun Yeung Estate in Fo Tan, Tak Loong House, Tak Long Estate in Kowloon City and Wo Tai House, On Tai Estate in Kwun Tong.

People in the restricted areas must undergo compulsory testing before the specified deadline.

As there were positive sewage test results in several areas of Sham Shui Po, Islands, North, Yuen Long and Kwai Tsing districts, the Home Affairs Department will distribute COVID-19 rapid test kits to relevant residents as well as cleansing workers and property management staff working in those areas from tomorrow.

As Cathay Pacific passenger flight CX796 arriving in Hong Kong from Jakarta, Indonesia on March 1 had 23 passengers on board who tested positive upon arrival, the Department of Health has prohibited the landing of the airline's passenger flights in the city from Jakarta from March 3 to 16.

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