The Centre for Health Protection today said it is looking into 13,575 additional locally acquired COVID-19 cases, of which 3,001 were identified through nucleic acid tests and 10,574 via rapid antigen tests.

Separately, 798 imported cases were detected.

Furthermore, 24 residential care homes for the elderly and 13 for disabled people logged 63 cases involving their residents while there were four infections among staff.

Meanwhile, there were 1,975 positive cases concerning 1,665 students and 310 staff filed by 930 schools. Seventeen classes from 16 schools were advised to suspend face-to-face lessons for seven days.

In addition to reporting that 27 patients passed away in public hospitals due to the coronavirus, the Hospital Authority registered 12 more critical patients, bringing the number of patients in critical condition to 76.

Due to a number of positive cases, 32 specified places are included in a compulsory testing notice. It also covers another eight places in Tai Wai, Sha Tin and Kwai Chung where some sewage samples tested positive for the virus.

The Government has set up a new regular community testing station at the basketball court next to Wang Lai House of Wang Tau Hom Estate in Lok Fu. The ad-hoc mobile specimen collection station at On Yam Estate in Kwai Chung will extend its services to December 10.

As there were positive sewage test results with relatively high viral loads in several areas of Kwun Tong, Kowloon City and Islands 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.