(To watch the full press briefing with sign language interpretation, click here.)

The Centre for Health Protection today said it is investigating 1,619 additional COVID-19 cases, which are all locally infected.

A total of 10,854 positive cases were reported in Hong Kong in the past 14 days, comprising 121 imported and 10,733 locally acquired cases.

At a press briefing this afternoon, the centre’s Communicable Disease Branch Head Dr Chuang Shuk-kwan said the Government is taking a multipronged approach to meet the rising demand for virus tests.

“In view of the increasing number of specimens and preliminary positive (COVID-19) cases, I understand our laboratory has redeployed manpower and tried to streamline all the processes, and (is) working long hours to try to meet the demand.

“Also, we have liaised with the Hospital Authority. There is no need for the Hospital Authority to send their specimens for our confirmation because their laboratory’s quality is very good all along. So hopefully we can meet the demand.”

In addition, two patients confirmed with COVID-19 infection passed away, including a 100-year-old female patient with chronic illness and a three-year-old girl.

The Government made a restriction-testing declaration tonight to cover Ching Long House, Ching Ho Estate in Sheung Shui, requiring people in the restricted area to undergo compulsory testing. 

It made the decision after sewage discharged from the building tested positive for the virus and a preliminary positive patient who lived in the building was detected recently.

Regarding the positive sewage test results found in several areas in Tsuen Wan, Yuen Long, Kwun Tong, Sham Shui Po and Sha Tin districts, the Home Affairs Department will distribute COVID-19 rapid test kits to all cleansing workers and property management staff working in those areas from tomorrow.

In view of a number of preliminarily positive and positive cases, 22 specified places are included in a compulsory testing notice.

Free testing services will be provided for people subject to mandatory testing at community testing centres and mobile specimen collection stations located at 64 places in the city tomorrow.

Starting tomorrow the Government will set up an additional mobile specimen collection station at Ho Man Tin Park, the mobile specimen collection station at soccer pitch of Sun Chui Estate in Tai Wai will be relocated to Che Kung Temple Sports Centre.

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