The Centre for Health Protection today said it is investigating 347 additional COVID-19 cases, of which 205 were detected by nucleic acid tests and 142 were identified via rapid antigen tests.

Among the new cases, 12 are imported while the rest are locally infected.

Since the onset of the fifth wave of the epidemic, 1,190,007 people have contracted the virus, involving 9,061 deaths.

This afternoon, the Government made a restriction-testing declaration to cover Tip Sum House of Butterfly Estate in Tuen Mun, requiring people in the restricted area to undergo compulsory testing before the specified deadline.

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

Owing to the positive sewage test results with relatively high viral loads in several areas of Yau Tsim Mong, North and Kwai Tsing dstricts, the respective district offices will distribute COVID-19 rapid test kits to relevant residents as well as cleaning workers and property management staff working there.

The Government will make mobile specimen collection stations available at King Hin Court in Diamond Hill and Hung Fuk Estate in Hung Shui Kiu tomorrow. Meanwhile, the collection station at Chuk Yuen North Estate in Wong Tai Sin will be open until Thursday.

Separately, the Government announced that it has published the list of private doctors who can prescribe COVID-19 oral drugs Paxlovid and Molnupiravir. Private doctors must follow the Hospital Authority’s treatment guidelines and should not charge patients for these drugs.

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