The Centre for Health Protection today said it is investigating 4,478 additional locally acquired COVID-19 cases, of which 1,172 were identified through nucleic acid tests and 3,306 via rapid antigen tests.

Separately, 396 imported cases were detected.

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

There were also 1,362 positive cases concerning 1,141 students and 221 staff filed by 681 schools.

In addition to reporting that 10 more patients passed away in public hospitals due to the coronavirus, the Hospital Authority registered two more critical patients, bringing the number of patients in critical condition to 37.

The centre added that one case of sub-lineage BA.2.75.2 and one case of sub-lineage XBB.1 have been identified by the Department of Health’s Public Health Laboratory Services Branch among imported cases, both of which are asymptomatic.

Due to a number of positive cases, 68 specified places are included in a compulsory testing notice. It also covers another eight places in Tseung Kwan O, Sham Tseng, Pok Fu Lam, Yau Tong and Tuen Mun where some sewage samples tested positive for the virus.

The Government will set up a number of ad-hoc mobile specimen collection stations across the city.

Since there were positive sewage test results with relatively high viral loads in several areas of Tuen Mun and Sai Kung 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.