The Centre for Health Protection today said it is investigating 6,260 additional locally acquired COVID-19 cases, of which 2,167 were directly identified through nucleic acid tests and 4,093 via verified rapid antigen tests.

Separately, 185 imported cases were reported and eight more patients passed away.

The centre added that there were also 69 cases reported by 47 schools, involving 54 pupils and 15 staff. Three such schools have been advised to suspend face-to-face lessons for specific classes for one week.

Additionally, there were 10 residential care homes for the elderly and three for disabled people that logged coronavirus infection cases.

To cope with the increasing number of COVID-19 patients admitted to hospitals, the Hospital Authority announced that it will reopen its community treatment facility at AsiaWorld-Expo next week where around 200 beds will be available.

Furthermore, the Kai Tak Community Isolation Facility, managed by the Security Bureau's anti-epidemic task force, commenced operation today. About 60 confirmed COVID-19 patients with no or mild symptoms had been admitted as at 6pm.

Due to a number of positive cases, 59 specified places are included in a compulsory testing notice. It also covers one specified location in Tin Shui Wai where some sewage samples tested positive for the virus.

While the Government will reopen the mobile specimen collection stations at Ka Lung Court in Tin Wan and Shek Yam East Estate in Kwai Chung tomorrow, the service period of the mobile specimen collection station at Wang Tau Hom Estate in Lok Fu will be extended to August 21.

To facilitate the holding of community activities, starting August 25, the mobile specimen collection station at Wong Tai Sin Square will cease operation and the mobile specimen collection station at Muk Lun Street Playground nearby will start earlier at 8am each day.

This afternoon, the Government made a restriction-testing declaration to cover Tsui Wing House of Tsui Ping (South) Estate in Kwun Tong, requiring people in the restricted area to undergo compulsory testing before the specified deadline.

As there were positive sewage test results with relatively high viral loads in several areas of Kowloon City districts, 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.