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

The Centre for Health Protection today said it is investigating 1,533 additional locally acquired COVID-19 cases, of which 603 were directly identified through nucleic acid tests and 930 via rapid antigen tests which were verified.

Separately, 152 imported cases were reported.

One more patient passed away, bringing the total number of deaths in the fifth wave of the epidemic to 9,186.

At a press briefing this afternoon, the centre’s Principal Medical & Health Officer Dr Albert Au gave updates on the cluster of cases that occurred in a restaurant at Chelsea Heights in Tuen Mun, involving people who dined there on June 16.

“So far, we have identified 42 customers affected and the remaining customers tested negative (for COVID-19) already, the majority of them. All the (restaurant) staff tested negative. So, we consider that the outbreak (from this restaurant) has ended.

“During our epidemiological investigation, we have identified some secondary (transmission) cases, mainly including some cases with transmission in the same buildings, as well as a suspected transmission in an elderly care home - Fu Tai Elderly Home, and also another small-scale outbreak in another restaurant (in Mong Kok), which might be related to (the outbreak of) the Tuen Mun restaurant.”

Meanwhile, the centre received notifications of 202 positive cases from 172 schools, among which three were advised to suspend the classes where a few teachers or students had contracted the virus.

This afternoon, the Government made restriction-testing declarations to cover Tak Nga Court in Tai Po and Kam Nga House of Kam Ying Court in Sha Tin, requiring people in the restricted areas to undergo compulsory testing before the specified deadline.

Due to a number of positive cases, 37 specified places are included in a compulsory testing notice. It also covers four buildings in Aberdeen, Sha Tin and Tai Po where some sewage samples tested positive for the virus.

The mobile specimen collection station at Lei Muk Shue Estate in Tsuen Wan will reopen tomorrow.

As there were positive sewage test results with relatively high viral loads in several residential areas in Tuen Mun and Yuen Long, 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.