The Centre for Health Protection today said it is looking into 3,318 additional locally acquired COVID-19 cases, of which 1,091 were identified through nucleic acid tests and 2,227 via rapid antigen tests.

Separately, 324 imported cases were detected.

Furthermore, four residential care homes for the elderly and two for disabled people logged seven virus cases involving their residents.

There were also 1,147 positive cases concerning 977 students and 170 staff filed by 644 schools.

In addition to reporting that 10 more patients passed away in public hospitals due to the coronavirus, the Hospital Authority registered five more critical patients, bringing the number of patients in critical condition to 36.

Due to a number of positive cases, 62 specified places are included in a compulsory testing notice. It also covers four other places in Ho Man Tin, Lai Chi Kok and Tin Shui Wai where some sewage samples tested positive for the virus.

The Government will reopen the mobile specimen collection stations at Lung Tak Court in Stanley and Cheung Hong Estate in Tsing Yi tomorrow, while the station at Wang Tau Hom Estate in Lok Fu will extend its services to October 7.

Meanwhile, several stations and community testing centres will be closed tomorrow due to the change of service contractors.

Since there were positive sewage test results with relatively high viral loads in several areas of Kwai Tsing, Sai Kung and Sha Tin 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.