The Centre for Health Protection today said it is looking into 8,153 additional locally acquired COVID-19 cases, of which 2,014 were identified through nucleic acid tests and 6,139 via rapid antigen tests.

Separately, 657 imported cases were detected.

Ten residential care homes for the elderly and 10 for disabled people logged 27 cases involving their residents and staff.

Meanwhile, there were 1,466 positive cases concerning 1,201 students and 265 staff filed by 773 schools. As a result, 24 classes from 23 schools were advised to suspend face-to-face lessons for seven days.

In addition to reporting that 16 patients passed away in public hospitals due to the coronavirus, the Hospital Authority registered seven more critical patients, bringing the number in critical condition to 48.

Due to a number of positive cases, 45 specified places are included in a compulsory testing notice. It also covers another five places in Tin Shui Wai, Ap Lei Chau and Sha Tin where some sewage samples tested positive for the virus.

The Government will reopen the ad-hoc mobile specimen collection station at Lei Muk Shue Estate in Tsuen Wan tomorrow.

As there were positive sewage test results with relatively high viral loads in Wah Kwai Estate in Southern District and Yee Nga Court in Tai Po, 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.