The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) announced that as of 0.00am, November 26, the CHP was investigating four additional confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), taking the number of cases to 12 422 in Hong Kong so far (comprising 12 421 confirmed cases and one probable case).

     The newly reported cases are imported cases. Three of the cases involved mutant strains while the mutation test result of the remaining case is pending. The patients comprise three males and one female, aged 9 to 43. All of them arrived in Hong Kong from Group B specified places (medium-risk). Two patients tested positive during the "test-and-hold" arrangement upon arrival at the Temporary Specimen Collection Centre (TSCC) at Hong Kong International Airport and the remaining two tested positive during quarantine. Among them, case 12427, being a close contact of case 12424 who tested positive at the TSCC, tested positive at the Penny's Bay Quarantine Centre.

     A total of 40 cases have been reported in the past 14 days (November 12 to 25) and all of them are imported cases.

     According to the testing and quarantine arrangements for local COVID-19 cases with mutant strains, the CHP reminded that persons who resided or worked within the same building as the residence of relevant cases will be subject to compulsory testing on specified dates in accordance with the announcement by the DH. They will also be required to undergo self-monitoring until the 21st day (see the details of the buildings and dates of testing at www.coronavirus.gov.hk/pdf/CTN_Specified_premises_and_Dates_of_Testing.pdf).

     Specified persons in relation to the following specified premises are also reminded to undergo compulsory testing in accordance with the compulsory testing notice tomorrow (November 27):

• Block 4, New Jade Garden, 233 Chai Wan Road, Chai Wan

     The CHP's epidemiological investigations and relevant contact tracing on the confirmed cases are ongoing. For case details and contact tracing information, please see the Annex or the "COVID-19 Thematic Website" (www.coronavirus.gov.hk).

     ​The spokesman for the CHP stressed, "The global situation of COVID-19 infection remains severe and there is a continuous increase in the number of cases involving mutant strains that carry higher transmissibility, and there are also reports of breakthrough infections in some vaccinated individuals. The CHP strongly urges members of the public to avoid all non-essential travel outside Hong Kong, in particular to specified places with high risk under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Regulation of Cross-boundary Conveyances and Travellers) Regulation (Cap. 599H)."

Ends/Friday, November 26, 2021
Issued at HKT 14:15

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