Virus infections drop to lowest since early July

The Centre for Health Protection announced this afternoon that 18 more tested positive for the coronavirus infection, while 17 were infected locally.

The increase was the lowest number since July 7, with 14 cases on that day.

Chuang Shuk-kwan, head of the Centre of Health Protection's communicable disease branch, said the reason behind today’s low number of cases could be related to typhoon Higos that passed by Hong Kong yesterday.

She explained: "As some specimen collection centres were closed in the morning yesterday, there were fewer citizens submitting their sample tests. Therefore, less people tested positive."

Among the 18, two were linked to previous infections in the dormitories of the Indonesian domestic helpers, while the Kwai Tsing Container Terminal cluster had three new patients.

Meanwhile, Chuang also said the police is handling the Thai national who tested positive yesterday and refused to cooperate with authorities to provide information.

Chuang said in the daily press conference that the incident has been referred to the New Territories South Police Headquarters for follow-up.

Authorities are also waiting for relevant parties to return sample bottles to the Castle Peak Bay Immigration Centre.