The Centre for Health Protection today said it is investigating 6,672 additional locally acquired COVID-19 cases, of which 1,384 were identified through nucleic acid tests and 5,288 via rapid antigen tests.

Separately, 614 imported cases were detected.

Furthermore, 10 residential care homes for the elderly (RCHEs) and six for disabled people logged 20 cases involving their residents.

Meanwhile, there were 2,057 positive cases concerning 1,730 students and 327 staff filed by 871 schools. As a result, 14 classes from 14 schools were advised to suspend face-to-face lessons for seven days.

In addition to reporting that 11 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 44.

In the past week, there were 299 COVID-19 patients who reside in RCHEs admitted to hospitals.

The number is higher than the 241 and 85 care home COVID-19 patients admitted in the second and the first week of November respectively.

The authority said it is concerned about the increase and will closely monitor the situation, adding that it will keep in close communication with relevant government departments and RCHEs to enhance medical support to the care homes through the outreach teams.

Due to a number of positive cases, 67 specified places are included in a compulsory testing notice. It also covers another three places in Tung Chung, Tai Po and Cheung Sha Wan where some sewage samples tested positive for the virus.

The Government will reopen the ad-hoc mobile specimen collection stations at Chi Fu Fa Yuen in Pok Fu Lam and Ngan Ho Court in Mui Wo tomorrow.

As there were positive sewage test results with relatively high viral loads in several areas of Kwun Tong, Tuen Mun and Eastern districts, the Housing Department and 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.