(To watch the full press briefing with sign language interpretation, click here.)

The Centre for Health Protection today said it is looking into 6,276 additional locally acquired COVID-19 cases, of which 2,239 were directly identified through nucleic acid tests and 4,037 via verified rapid antigen tests.

Three more patients passed away, none of whom had been vaccinated.

Separately, 237 imported cases were detected.

At a press briefing this afternoon, the centre’s Principal Medical & Health Officer Dr Albert Au reported on an outbreak in a residential care home for the elderly (RCHE) in Sai Kung relating to 16 residents and three staff members.

“The first COVID-19 positive case involved a personal care worker who might have had direct face-to-face contact with residents. She was tested positive by RAT rapid antigen test on August 12.”

Upon a polymerase chain reaction screening among residents and staff, which revealed more cases, the centre noted that the infected co-workers live in the same hostel.

“This might be the reason causing the spread of COVID-19 among the staff.”

Observing that there were infected residents living on different floors, there was evidence of transmission from staff to residents, Dr Au said.

He then advised that people working in care homes for the elderly or the disabled get tested daily.

“It is very important for staff to maintain their vigilance and they should do a RAT every day. And if they have symptoms, they must not go to work and should do a PCR test. They are also encouraged to do regular PCR tests in order to identify early infections, which might not be picked up by a RAT.”

Apart from the Sai Kung elderly home, the centre added that three RCHE and three residential care homes for disabled people logged COVID-19 cases, involving seven residents and one staff member.

Meanwhile, as there were positive sewage test results with relatively high viral loads in several areas in Islands, Kwai Tsing and Central & Western districts, the Housing Department and 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.

Due to a number of positive cases, 58 specified places are included in a compulsory testing notice. It also covers another eight specified locations in Sham Tseng, Ma On Shan and Tuen Mun where some sewage samples tested positive for the virus.

The Government will set up or reopen mobile specimen collection stations at Chuk Yuen North Estate in Wong Tai Sin and Rhine Garden in Sham Tseng tomorrow. The stations at Wang Tau Hom Estate in Lok Fu and Bellagio in Sham Tseng will extend services to August 23.

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