The Centre for Health Protection today said it is investigating 6,380 additional locally acquired COVID-19 cases, of which 2,236 were directly identified through nucleic acid tests and 4,144 via verified rapid antigen tests.

Separately, 237 imported cases were found and five more patients passed away.

Seven residential care homes for the elderly and six for disabled people logged 23 coronavirus infection cases involving residents and staff. There were also 160 cases reported by 83 schools.

The centre's Principal Medical & Health Officer Dr Albert Au noted that the number of local cases has been over 6,000 per day for the past several days. As such, he called on the public to observe the anti-epidemic regulations to contain the spread of the virus.

This afternoon, the Government made a restriction-testing declaration to cover King Cheung House of Cheung Lung Wai Estate in Sheung Shui, requiring people in the restricted area to undergo compulsory testing before the specified deadline.

As there were positive sewage test results with relatively high viral loads in several areas in Tsuen Wan, Sham Shui Po and Yuen Long, the Housing Department 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, 53 specified places are included in a compulsory testing notice. It also covers another 10 specified locations in Yau Tong, Sham Tseng, Tai Po and Tuen Mun where some sewage samples tested positive for the virus.

The Government will set up or reopen mobile specimen collection stations at Shek Pai Wan Estate in Southern District, On Yam Estate in Kwai Chung and Sea Crest Villa in Sham Tseng tomorrow, while the service period of the stations at Wang Tau Hom Estate in Lok Fu and Rhine Garden in Sham Tseng will be extended to August 24.

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