(To watch the full press briefing with sign language interpretation, click here.)

The Centre for Health Protection today said it is investigating 28 additional cases of COVID-19, of which 16 cases are locally transmitted and 12 are imported.

The centre explained that of the 16 local cases, nine are linked to patients previously infected and seven are cases with unknown sources of infection.

While responding to questions from reporters at a press briefing this afternoon, the centre’s Communicable Disease Branch Head Dr Chuang Shuk-kwan described the current epidemic situation as the most serious since March.

“I think the situation now is quite serious because we have many cases without a definite source of infection and they cannot be linked to any imported cases.

“There are outbreaks affecting restaurants, elderly homes, some students are affected and also certain areas and some housing estates - they have more than one case.

“So it affects the general public. I think it's worse than the situation in March, when there were a lot of imported cases, and also some cases with definite sources, such as those linked to the bars and restaurants.”

Due to the rise in cases with unknown sources, Dr Chuang urged the public to take precautionary measures to minimise the risk of contracting and spreading the coronavirus.

“So the situation now is quite worrying and we have to tighten up our awareness and also infection control measures and try and avoid going out - don't have gathering activities as much as possible - to try to reduce the spread among the community.”

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