The Centre for Health Protection today said it is looking into 8,843 additional locally acquired COVID-19 cases, of which 1,977 were identified through nucleic acid tests and 6,866 via rapid antigen tests.

Separately, 665 imported cases were detected.

Twenty-one residential care homes for the elderly and six for disabled people logged 45 cases involving their residents as well as 10 infections among staff.

Meanwhile, there were 3,036 positive cases concerning 2,577 students and 459 staff filed by 1,000 schools. A total of 23 classes from 22 schools were advised to suspend face-to-face lessons for seven days.

In addition to reporting that 20 patients passed away in public hospitals due to the coronavirus, the Hospital Authority registered 13 more critical patients, bringing the number of patients in critical condition to 70.

Due to a number of positive cases, 54 specified places are included in a compulsory testing notice. It also covers another two places in Shau Kei Wan and Tin Shui Wai where some sewage samples tested positive for the virus.

The Government will reopen the ad-hoc mobile specimen collection stations at Wah Fu (I) Estate in Pok Fu Lam and Peng Chau Waterfront Playground tomorrow, while the collection station at Hung Fuk Estate in Hung Shui Kiu will extend its services to December 7.

As there were positive sewage test results with relatively high viral loads in several areas of Sai Kung and Eastern 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.