The Centre for Health Protection today said it is looking into 5,179 additional locally acquired COVID-19 cases, of which 1,454 were identified through nucleic acid tests and 3,725 via rapid antigen tests.

Separately, 385 imported cases were detected.

Furthermore, eight residential care homes for the elderly and two for disabled people logged 15 cases involving their residents and staff.

Meanwhile, two classes were advised to suspend face-to-face lessons for seven days due to COVID-19 cases.

In addition to reporting that five more patients passed away in public hospitals due to the coronavirus, the Hospital Authority registered eight more critical patients, bringing the number of patients in critical condition to 20.

The centre also noted that the number of imported cases with mutant strains registered no further increase, remaining at 55 for XBB, four for BA.2.75.2, one for BA.4.6 and five for the BQ.1.1 variants.

Due to a number of positive cases, 67 specified places are included in a compulsory testing notice. It also covers another place in Kwai Chung where some sewage samples tested positive for the virus.

The Government will reopen the ad-hoc mobile specimen collection stations at Lido Garden in Sham Tseng, Park Island in Ma Wan and Cheung Wang Estate in Tsing Yi tomorrow, while the service of the mobile station at Rhine Garden in Sham Tseng will also be extended to tomorrow.

As there were positive sewage test results with relatively high viral loads in several areas of Sha Tin, Tai O and North District, the Housing Department and 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.