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

The Centre for Health Protection today said it is investigating 2,558 additional locally acquired COVID-19 cases, of which 1,103 were directly identified through nucleic acid tests and 1,455 via rapid antigen tests that were verified.

Separately, 211 imported cases were reported.

The centre added that two elderly care homes and two residential care homes for persons with disabilities have identified one positive case each involving residents.

It also received notifications of 369 positive cases from 285 schools.

Amid the recent increase in COVID-19 cases, the Hospital Authority announced an adjustment to its services so as to concentrate resources to cope with the epidemic.

The authority’s Chief Manager (Patient Safety & Risk Management) Dr Sara Ho said: “The number of confirmed cases is increasing along a rising trend and the number of confirmed cases at in-patient facilities has reached a thousand already. This has inevitably caused an impact on our hospital services.

“In some hospitals and some clusters, we started to readjust the quota for elective surgeries, such as the endoscopy services, elective cardiac interventions and some of the elective surgeries for some benign tumours.”

Meanwhile, the Government made a restriction-testing declaration to cover Heng Shing House of Fu Heng Estate in Tai Po, requiring people in the restricted area to undergo compulsory testing before the specified deadline.

Separately, due to a number of positive cases, 71 specified places are included in a compulsory testing notice. It also covers another three premises in Ap Lei Chau and Ma On Shan where some sewage samples tested positive for the virus.

The Government will reopen the mobile specimen collection stations at Wah Fu (II) Estate in Pok Fu Lam, Tak Keung Court in Lok Fu, Lei Muk Shue Estate in Tsuen Wan and Cheung Hang Estate in Tsing Yi tomorrow.

As there were positive sewage test results with relatively high viral loads in several residential estates and buildings in North District, Eastern District and Yuen Long, 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.