The Centre for Health Protection today said it is looking into 946 additional COVID-19 cases, of which 11 are imported and the rest are locally infected.

Among the new cases, 471 were detected by nucleic acid tests while 475 were identified via rapid antigen tests.

More than 1.183 million people have contracted the virus since the onset of the fifth wave of the epidemic, involving 8,856 deaths.

Regarding the COVID-19 vaccination service at residential care homes (RCHs), the Government said in a press release that further to the successful completion of the first and second stages of an outreach jab programme at RCHs, the first-dose vaccination rate there has risen from 55% in mid-March to 70% as of April 14.

The rate at RCHs for the elderly stands at 67% and the rate at RCHs for the disabled at 81%. Meanwhile, the overall vaccination rates at RCHs for the second and third doses are 42% and 7% respectively.

Taking into account the fact that many RCH residents had suffered from COVID-19 in March and later recovered, the Government will provide, on or before May 10, an outreach vaccination service to unvaccinated residents who have recovered from the virus, and those who are due to receive the next vaccine dose after their first or second doses, in order to achieve a comprehensive vaccination coverage.

Separately, the Government made a restriction-testing declaration this afternoon to cover Tsui To House of Tsui Ping (North) Estate in Kwun Tong, citing the viral load in sewage, information of relevant positive cases and other circumstantial factors. People in the restricted areas must undergo compulsory testing before the specified deadline.

Given that there were positive sewage test results with relatively high viral loads in several areas of Tuen Mun and Sham Shui Po, 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 such areas.

Furthermore, due to a number of positive cases, 40 specified places are included in a compulsory testing notice.

The Government will reopen the mobile specimen collection station at the amphitheatre of Hing Man Estate in Chai Wan tomorrow, while the station at the podium of Wah Fu (II) Commercial Complex in Pok Fu Lam will extend its testing services to Sunday.

As Qatar Airways had four passengers who tested positive upon arrival, the Department of Health has prohibited the landing of the carrier’s passenger flights in Hong Kong from Doha from tomorrow until next Friday.

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