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

The Centre for Health Protection today said it is investigating 82 additional COVID-19 cases, adding that residents of an estate building in Sha Tin will have to undergo compulsory testing.

The centre's Communicable Disease Branch Head Dr Chuang Shuk-kwan told a press briefing there are 79 local cases, of which 35 have an unknown source of infection.

Dr Chuang said residents of Ming Yan Lau building at Jat Min Chuen will be required to take a COVID-19 test.

“For Jat Min Chuen in Sha Tin, we understand preliminarily that there are three units affected and they are all in one wing of the floor. So we consider the residents of that wing may have been exposed.

“Of course, we are not sure about other units of the building. Preliminarily, we will consider all residents living in that wing as close contacts and then we will issue a compulsory testing notice for all other residents in the building. If there is any abnormal phenomenon, of course we will do further investigations.”

A compulsory testing notice was gazetted today to require those who visited Ming Yan Lau for more than two hours from December 1 to 16 to undergo a virus test by December 21.

In the notice, those who visited Lung San House at Lung Poon Court in Wong Tai Sin for more than two hours from November 23 to December 16 are also required to get tested.

Dr Chuang added that there are more than 80 preliminary positive cases and reminded the public to remain vigilant.

“We have not seen the numbers going down. Whether it is the peak or not or whether it will further increase depends on the coming situation and whether there are any abnormal events, abnormal gatherings or abnormal spread in the community. Any one event may result in a large number of cases, as happened previously.”

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