The Centre for Health Protection today said it is investigating 9,495 additional locally acquired COVID-19 cases, of which 2,930 were directly identified through nucleic acid tests and 6,565 via verified rapid antigen tests.

Separately, 213 imported cases were found and 10 more patients passed away.

Two residential care homes for the elderly and three for disabled people logged coronavirus infection cases.

The Hospital Authority announced that it will adjust the service of some general outpatient clinics, including suspending or reducing the session times at such clinics starting tomorrow.

The authority appealed for the public's understanding, explaining that the goal is to focus its manpower and resources on further enhancing the services of designated clinics and tele-consultation for supporting confirmed patients in the community.

Due to a number of positive cases, 54 specified places are included in a compulsory testing notice. It also covers another 12 specified locations in Chai Wan, Sham Shui Po, Tai Kok Tsui, Pok Fu Lam and Tuen Mun where some sewage samples tested positive for the virus.

The Government will reopen the mobile specimen collection stations at Hing Wah (II) Estate in Chai Wan and Peng Chau Waterfront Playground tomorrow, while the service of the mobile collection station at Shek Yam East Estate in Kwai Chung will be extended to August 30.

As there were positive sewage test results with relatively high viral loads in several areas in Kowloon City, Sham Shui Po and Southern districts, the Housing Department and respective district offices will distribute COVID-19 rapid test kits to relevant residents as well as cleaning workers and property management staff working there.

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