The Centre for Health Protection today said it is investigating 9,227 additional locally acquired COVID-19 cases, of which 2,357 were identified through nucleic acid tests and 6,870 via rapid antigen tests.

Separately, 725 imported cases were detected.

Fourteen residential care homes for the elderly and 12 for disabled people logged 34 cases involving their residents as well as seven staff infections.

Meanwhile, there were 2,472 positive cases concerning 2,122 students and 350 staff filed by 923 schools. A total of 44 classes from 36 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 14 more critical patients, bringing the number of patients in critical condition to 73.

Due to a number of positive cases, 54 specified places are included in a compulsory testing notice. It also covers another five places in Kwai Chung, Tai Po and Tuen Mun where some sewage samples tested positive for the virus.

The Government will reopen the ad-hoc mobile specimen collection stations at Park Island in Ma Wan and On Yam Estate in Kwai Chung tomorrow.

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