The Centre for Health Protection today said it is investigating 3,172 additional locally acquired COVID-19 cases, of which 449 were identified through nucleic acid tests and 2,723 via rapid antigen tests. Separately, 111 imported cases were detected. Furthermore, seven residential care homes for the elderly and five for disabled people logged 13 cases involving their residents. The Hospital Authority reported that 20 patients passed away in public hospitals. According to a preliminary analysis, the cause of death for nine patients was related to COVID-19, while that of the remaining 11 patients was unrelated. It also registered eight more critical cases, bringing the number of patients in critical condition to 93. Separately, to align with the Government’s cancellation of issuing isolation orders from tomorrow, the authority will, starting from the same day, announce at 8.30am and 1pm the information of general out-patient clinics (GOPC) quota reserved for COVID-19
The additional community testing centre set up at Lei Tung Community Hall in Southern District will start service at 2pm tomorrow, taking the number of community testing centres that provide testing services to 21.
The new Lei Tung community testing centre will operate until the end of April tentatively.
Community testing centres provide self-paid testing services for the public at a more affordable price to serve the general community or private purposes such as certification for travelling or work. The price of the testing services is capped at $240.
The Government would also conduct necessary testing for targeted groups, specified people or other citizens at the testing centres for public health reasons on a need basis.
Community testing centres have come into service in phases since November 15 last year. As at March 16, these centres had provided around 1.99 million tests, of which over 1,070 samples or 0.05% tested preliminary positive and were referred to the Centre for Health Protection for confirmatory tests.
Booking and walk-in services are available. The testing centres would accord priority to individuals with advance bookings. The public may also call the testing centres in advance to enquire about the availability of bookings or walk-in quotas.
People of certain targeted groups, local residents and staff subject to compulsory testing, as well as those with a LeaveHomeSafe COVID-19 exposure notification may be tested for free at community testing centres. They must register through the booking system and those without bookings will need to pay the testing fee.
The public can also undergo COVID-19 testing through other channels.
Those with symptoms should seek medical attention immediately and not go to the community testing centres.
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