The Centre for Health Protection today said it is investigating nine additional imported COVID-19 cases involving patients who arrived from Russia, the Philippines, Egypt, India, Canada and Maldives.

Eight of the cases involve mutant strains while the mutation test result of the remaining case is pending.

One of the cases is a close contact of a previous imported case. Four other cases tested positive during the test-and-hold arrangement upon arrival at the Hong Kong International Airport and the remaining four patients tested positive during quarantine.

Meanwhile, as Air Canada flight AC007 from Vancouver on October 13 had one passenger on board confirmed infected with COVID-19 by arrival testing and another passenger failed to comply with the requirements specified under the Prevention & Control of Disease (Regulation of Cross-boundary Conveyances & Travellers) Regulation, the Department of Health has prohibited the landing of the airline's passenger flights from Vancouver from October 16 to 29.

The centre also reminded specified people linked to Jones Hive in Causeway Bay, Block C, Hankow Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui and Tower 10, Phase 3, The Graces in Tai Po to undergo compulsory testing in accordance with the compulsory testing notice tomorrow.

In regard to a previous local case with the L452R mutant strain, people who had been at 10 specified premises during the specified period have to undergo additional testing. 

Three schools are also covered in the compulsory testing notice due to an outbreak of upper respiratory tract infection or influenza-like illness.

A total of 59 cases were reported in Hong Kong in the past 14 days, one of which is a local case with an unknown infection source and the rest are imported.

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