The Centre for Health Protection today said it is investigating 4,250 additional locally acquired COVID-19 cases, of which 948 were identified through nucleic acid tests and 3,302 via rapid antigen tests.

Separately, 399 imported cases were detected.

Furthermore, 14 residential care homes for the elderly and two for disabled people logged 23 cases involving their residents and staff.

Meanwhile, there were 878 positive cases concerning 750 students and 128 staff filed by 513 schools. As a result, 19 classes from 18 schools were advised to suspend face-to-face lessons for seven days.

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

Due to a number of positive cases, 41 specified places are included in a compulsory testing notice. It also covers another three places in Tin Shui Wai, Ap Lei Chau and Tung Chung where some sewage samples tested positive for the virus.

Community testing centres and community testing stations across the city provide free nucleic acid testing services for the public.

As there were positive sewage test results with relatively high viral loads in several areas of Tai Po and Sha Tin 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.