The Centre for Health Protection today said it is investigating 251 additional COVID-19 cases, of which 111 were detected by nucleic acid tests and 140 were identified via rapid antigen tests.

Among the new cases, 36 are imported while the rest are locally infected.

A total of 1,198,707 people have contracted the virus since the onset of the fifth wave of the epidemic.

Due to a number of positive cases, 46 specified places are included in a compulsory testing notice.

With the epidemic situation coming under control, the Hospital Authority announced that the special visiting arrangement will be extended to other acute and specialist hospitals with inpatient services and child and adolescent psychiatric wards or units from May 31.

The authority noted that one to two visits by one registered visitor will be arranged for each patient every week, with a one-hour visiting session.

Hospital staff will contact relatives for appointments. Relatives are not required to call the hospital for booking.

Visitors have to comply with the requirement of the vaccine pass and provide either a negative nucleic acid test result obtained within 48 hours or a negative rapid antigen test result obtained within 24 hours.

Separately, the Government made a restriction-testing declaration to cover Wah Koon House, Wah Sum Estate in Fanling.

People in the restricted area are required to undergo compulsory testing before the specified deadline.

As there were positive sewage test results with relatively high viral loads in several buildings and housing estates in Tsuen Wan and North districts, the Housing Department and 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.