The Centre for Health Protection today said it is investigating 9,869 additional locally acquired COVID-19 cases, of which 2,682 were identified through nucleic acid tests and 7,187 via rapid antigen tests.

Separately, 152 imported cases were found and eight more patients passed away.

Seven residential care homes for the elderly or the disabled logged virus cases

The centre also received notifications of 3,444 cases from 1,169 schools from the afternoon of September 2 to this morning, involving 2,864 students and 580 staff.

Twelve schools that have registered infection cases were advised to suspend face-to-face lessons for specific classes temporarily.

Due to a number of positive cases, 49 specified places are included in a compulsory testing notice. It also covers 24 specified sites in Lai Chi Kok, Kowloon City, Yau Tong, Diamond Hill and Tung Chung where some sewage samples tested positive for the virus.

The Government will reopen the mobile specimen collection stations at Shek Pai Wan Estate in Southern District, Chuk Yuen North Estate in Wong Tai Sin, Bellagio in Sham Tseng and Hung Fuk Estate in Hung Shui Kiu tomorrow.

Meanwhile, the Government made a restriction-testing declaration to cover Chak Mei House, Yau Mei Court in Yau Tong, requiring people in the restricted area to undergo compulsory testing before the specified deadline.

Since there were positive sewage test results with relatively high viral loads in several areas in Sha Tin, Tuen Mun, Yau Tsim Mong and Southern districts, 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.

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