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

The Centre for Health Protection today said it is investigating 294 additional COVID-19 cases, of which 115 were detected by nucleic acid tests and 179 were identified via rapid antigen tests.

Among the new cases, 40 are imported while the rest are locally infected.

A total of 1,195,034 people have contracted the virus since the onset of the fifth wave of the epidemic, involving 9,143 deaths.

Meanwhile, the Government made a restriction-testing declaration to cover Sai Wan Estate in Central & Western District, requiring people in the restricted area to undergo compulsory testing before the specified deadline.

The centre's Communicable Disease Branch Head Dr Chuang Shuk-kwan cited the viral load in sewage as the main reason behind the declaration move.

“The (sewage test) findings in Sai Wan Estate (have higher viral loads) than the usual findings in these few days. We did find a few cases in that estate. In one of the buildings, we found five cases recently, three of them are reported today.

“These cases might explain some of the sewage (test) findings. Of course, there may be other cases in that district, that is why there is a restriction-testing declaration at present for Sai Wan Estate.

“Also, the Government is distributing rapid (antigen) test kits to the nearby residents and certain workers.”

Dr Chuang also reminded citizens to take a test if they experience any upper respiratory symptoms or discomfort.

Due to a number of positive cases, 22 specified places are included in a compulsory testing notice. The list of mobile specimen collection stations has been updated.

As there were positive sewage test results with relatively high viral loads in several housing estates and buildings in Sai Kung, Kowloon City, Central & Western and Kwai Tsing districts, the Housing Department and the respective district offices will distribute COVID-19 rapid test kits to relevant residents as well as cleaning workers and property management staff working there.

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