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

The Centre for Health Protection today expressed concern over a possible COVID-19 outbreak at URSUS Fitness in Sai Ying Pun as the number of patients in the fitness centre cluster may exceed 50. 

The centre’s Communicable Disease Branch Head Dr Chuang Shuk-kwan told reporters at a press briefing this afternoon that it is investigating 22 additional COVID-19 cases, of which 19 are locally transmitted. 

Among the local cases, 16 are linked to the fitness centre. Together with the fitness trainer who was earlier confirmed with the virus, the total number of patients in the cluster has risen to 17.  

Dr Chuang said: "For URSUS Fitness, so far we have 17 confirmed cases affecting seven staff and 10 customers of the gym.  

"We have around 30-something preliminary positive cases affecting mainly customers of the gym as well as a few close contacts of those confirmed cases.  

"Altogether, we may have more than 50 affected customers and staff related to the gym."  

She added that there is a possibility of human-to-human transmission.  

"I understand they sometimes attended personal classes and sometimes classes in groups. Many of them did not wear masks during the training sessions, so it is inevitable that if any of them is infected, transmission will occur, especially during exercise."  

More than 240 customers who visited the fitness centre between March 1 and 9 have to be quarantined.  

The centre also reported that there are three local cases with unknown sources of infection.

Meanwhile, 25 places with one or more confirmed cases are now covered by compulsory testing notices.

Additionally, a staff of French International School in Tseung Kwan O tested positive for the virus. Apart from the staff, students and visitors attending the school must undergo compulsory testing.

The Government will set up mobile specimen collection stations at six locations on March 12, while those at Quarry Bay Community Hall, King George V Memorial Park, Kowloon, MacPherson Playground in Mong Kok and Arthur Street Temporary Playground in Yau Ma Tei will extend their services.

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