The Centre for Health Protection today said it is investigating 5,011 additional locally acquired COVID-19 cases, of which 1,244 were identified through nucleic acid tests and 3,767 via rapid antigen tests.

Separately, 372 imported cases were detected.

Furthermore, two residential care homes for the elderly and six for disabled people logged nine cases involving their residents.

In addition to reporting that eight patients passed away in public hospitals due to the coronavirus, the Hospital Authority registered three more critical patients, bringing the number of patients in critical condition to 32.

Due to a number of positive cases, 48 specified places are included in a compulsory testing notice. It also covers two places in Ma Wan and Kowloon Bay where some sewage samples tested positive for the virus.

The Government will reopen the ad-hoc mobile specimen collection station at Park Island in Ma Wan tomorrow.

As there were positive sewage test results with relatively high viral loads in several areas of Sha Tin and Yuen Long districts, the Housing Department 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.