The Centre for Health Protection today said it is looking into 3,981 additional locally acquired COVID-19 cases, of which 1,052 were identified through nucleic acid tests and 2,929 via rapid antigen tests.

Separately, 437 imported cases were detected.

Furthermore, two residential care homes for the elderly and four for disabled people logged 12 cases involving their residents and staff.

Meanwhile, there were 752 positive cases concerning 632 students and 120 staff filed by 442 schools. As a result, 11 classes from 10 schools were advised to suspend face-to-face lessons for seven days.

In addition to reporting that 13 patients passed away in public hospitals due to the coronavirus, the Hospital Authority registered 10 more critical patients, bringing the number of patients in critical condition to 34.

Due to a number of positive cases, 30 specified places are included in a compulsory testing notice. It also covers another four places in Cheung Sha Wan and Tai Po where some sewage samples tested positive for the virus.

As there were positive sewage test results with relatively high viral loads in several areas of Central & Western, Kwai Tsing and Kwun Tong 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.