The Centre for Health Protection today said it is looking into 28,783 additional locally acquired COVID-19 cases, of which 4,183 were identified through nucleic acid tests and 24,600 via rapid antigen tests.

Separately, 424 imported cases were detected.

Twenty-three residential care homes for the elderly and 10 for disabled people logged 64 cases involving their residents as well as seven infections among staff.

In addition to reporting that 52 patients passed away in public hospitals due to the coronavirus, the Hospital Authority registered 27 more critical patients, bringing the number of patients in critical condition to 197.

In light of the adjustment made by the health authorities on the arrangements for infected residents from residential care homes for the elderly and residential care homes for persons with disabilities starting from tomorrow, only COVID-19 residents who have received less than three vaccine doses will be sent to holding centres for care.

Additionally, the Department of Health has issued a letter to private doctors who have registered under the Electronic Health Record Sharing System, reminding them that if the two COVID-19 oral drugs obtained from the Government - Paxlovid and Molnupiravir - are prescribed to non-eligible people, private doctors are required to collect the drug cost on behalf of the Government.

For information and health advice on COVID-19, visit the Government’s dedicated webpage.