The Centre for Health Protection today said it is looking into 7,190 additional locally acquired COVID-19 cases, of which 1,750 were identified through nucleic acid tests and 5,440 via rapid antigen tests.

Separately, 132 imported cases were found and 23 more patients passed away.

At a press briefing this afternoon, the centre’s Principal Medical & Health Officer Dr Albert Au said that although the city’s seven-day moving average of virus infections has come down from the 10,090 cases between September 2 and 8 to the 7,783 cases between September 11 and 17, the single-day figure is expected to fluctuate in the short run.

Moreover, since the figures are still on the high side, he called on citizens to get vaccinated in time and strengthen the community’s protective barrier against the virus, with a view to restoring normalcy.

Meanwhile, three residential care homes for the elderly and two for disabled people logged six virus cases involving their residents.

Additionally, three schools were advised to temporarily suspend face-to-face lessons for specific classes given several infection cases were detected.

Due to a number of positive cases, 51 specified places are included in a compulsory testing notice. It also covers 13 specified premises in Ngau Chi Wan, Sau Mau Ping, Cheung Sha Wan, Chai Wan and Sha Tin where some sewage samples tested positive for the virus.

The Government will reopen the mobile specimen collection stations at Chuk Yuen North Estate in Wong Tai Sin, Bellagio in Sham Tseng and Cheung Wang Estate in Tsing Yi tomorrow, while the station at On Yam Estate in Kwai Chung will extend its services to September 20.

As there were positive sewage test results with relatively high viral loads in several areas in Sai Kung, Tai Po, Tuen Mun and Kwun Tong, 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.