The Centre for Health Protection today said it is investigating 4,566 additional locally acquired COVID-19 cases, of which 1,128 were identified through nucleic acid tests and 3,438 via rapid antigen tests.

Separately, 388 imported cases were detected.

Furthermore, five residential care homes for the elderly and two for disabled people logged eight cases involving their residents.

Meanwhile, there were 765 positive cases concerning 667 students and 98 staff filed by 463 schools. As a result, 32 classes in 30 schools were advised to suspend face-to-face lessons for seven days.

In addition to reporting that seven patients passed away in public hospitals due to the coronavirus, the Hospital Authority registered seven more critical patients, bringing the number of patients in critical condition to 23.

The centre also noted that the Department of Health’s Public Health Laboratory Services Branch has identified 90 XBB, one XBD, four BA.2.75.2, one BA.4.6, three BF.7 and seven BQ.1.1 mutant strain cases among imported infections so far.

Due to a number of positive cases, 48 specified places are included in a compulsory testing notice. It also covers another two places in Tung Chung where some sewage samples tested positive for the virus.

The ad-hoc mobile specimen collection stations at Wang Tau Hom Estate in Lok Fu, Rhine Garden and Lido Garden in Sham Tseng will resume service tomorrow, while the stations at Hing Man Estate in Chai Wan, Wah Fu (I) Estate in Pok Fu Lam and Cheung Wang Estate in Tsing Yi will extend their services to October 20.

As there were positive sewage test results with relatively high viral loads in several areas of Wan Chai, Sai Kung and Yuen Long 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.