The Centre for Health Protection today said it is investigating 4,570 additional locally acquired COVID-19 cases, of which 1,311 were identified through nucleic acid tests and 3,259 via rapid antigen tests.

Separately, 498 imported cases were detected.

Furthermore, seven residential care homes for the elderly and four for disabled people logged 22 cases involving their residents and staff.

Meanwhile, there were 742 positive cases concerning 618 students and 124 staff filed by 522 schools. As a result, 18 classes and one extra-curricular activities group from 19 schools were advised to suspend face-to-face lessons for seven days.

In addition to reporting that 13 patients passed away in public hospitals due to the coronavirus, the Hospital Authority registered six more critical patients, bringing the number of patients in critical condition to 30.

Due to a number of positive cases, 45 specified places are included in a compulsory testing notice. It also covers another three places in Tai Wai, Tin Shui Wai and Tung Chung where some sewage samples tested positive for the virus.

The Government will reopen the ad-hoc mobile specimen collection station at Lido Garden in Sham Tseng tomorrow.

As there were positive sewage test results with relatively high viral loads in several areas of Kwun Tong, Islands and Eastern 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.