The Centre for Health Protection today said it is investigating 24 additional COVID-19 cases, comprising 19 imported cases, four that are epidemiologically linked with imported cases and one possibly import-related case.

Among the new cases, 19 involve mutant strains, the mutation test results of two cases are pending while the viral loads of the remaining three cases are insufficient for mutation tests. The patients include eight men and 16 women, aged 20 to 88.

The Government made a restriction-testing declaration covering 5-7 Nassau Street, Mei Foo Sun Chuen Phase 5 in Lai Chi Kok this evening due to the detection of a preliminary positive case. People within the specified restricted area are required to undergo compulsory testing.

Meanwhile, the whole genome sequencing analysis conducted by the Department of Health's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch confirmed that 11 cases carried the Omicron mutant strain, taking the number of COVID-19 cases involving Omicron in Hong Kong to 279.

In view of one import-related case, one possibly import-related case and seven preliminary positive cases, 39 specified premises are included in the compulsory testing notice. A school where an outbreak of upper respiratory tract infection or influenza-like illness occurred is also covered in the testing notice.

The Government will set up mobile specimen collection stations at various locations for people who are subject to compulsory testing.

Separately, the department has prohibited the landing of passenger flights in Hong Kong from Dubai, the United Arab Emirates and Bangkok, Thailand operated by Emirates from January 10 to 23.

It made the move as flight EK384 arriving from Dubai and Bangkok on January 8 had nine passengers on board who tested positive upon arrival.

A total of 345 positive cases were reported in Hong Kong in the past 14 days. Thirty-six of them are epidemiologically linked with imported cases or possibly import-related cases, one is a local case, while the rest are imported.

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