The Centre for Health Protection said at a regular press conference that seven of the patients are recent arrivals from India and the Philippines.
So far, 71 of the patients have been confirmed to be linked to previous cases, including around 50 who caught the novel coronavirus from family members or people they lived with. The rest contracted the virus from workplaces or gatherings.
Among them are three firefighters from Tsing Yi South Fire Station, where about two dozen staff will have to be tested.
Cases were also found at a Wan Chai restaurant, the Sai Ying Pun wet market and a care home for the elderly in Tai Po, while others were connected to a party in Tuen Mun which around 200 people attended.
A student living in a local university’s dormitory is also among the new cases.
“We are seeing very high number of cases daily and the trend is still increasing, so we are very worried whether this situation can be controlled actually, And, without the participation of the general public it is very difficult,” said the centre’s spokeswoman Dr Chuang Shuk-kwan.
“I think in the coming two weeks… we have to observe very closely and see whether the social-distancing measures as adopted by the general public will take effect,” she told a press conference.
Two COVID-19 patients died today, including a 60-year-old man with heart disease, taking the death toll in the city to 18, of which 11 came in the past two weeks.
To handle the drastic surge of cases, the Hospital Authority said 22 general out-patient clinics will also start handing out specimen bottles from Monday.
Hong Kong has 2,506 confirmed COVID-19 cases, according to worldometers.info.
Macau has confirmed 46 novel coronavirus cases since January 22. All the patients have meanwhile been discharged from hospital. The Macau Health Bureau (SSM) has classified 44 of the cases as imported and the remainder as cases "connected to imported cases."
Unlike in Hong Kong, almost all people in Macau have been wearing facemasks since late January when out and about. Facemasks are mandatory on public transport and public administration premises as well as in casinos. Many other private businesses also deny entry to people not wearing a face covering.
The government has so far bought over 100 million facemasks for residents and non-resident workers who are entitled to buy 10 masks at the fixed price of 8 patacas (US$1) every 10 days from designated pharmacies, public health centres and civic associations.
Foreigners who do not have a local residence permit are banned from entering Macau. However, travel restrictions between Macau and the Chinese mainland are gradually being eased, including cross-border vehicular traffic.
Macau's economy has been severely affected by the impact of the novel coronavirus pandemic, its tourism, gaming, retail and media sectors in particular.
- RTHK, MPD
