Hong Kong sees more COVID-19 cases, gov't calls for alert

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Chief Executive Carrie Lam on Tuesday called on the public to cooperate with epidemic prevention work as the situation of the new wave of infections is grim.

Chief Executive of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Carrie Lam attends a press conference in Hong Kong, south China, Dec. 1, 2020. [Photo/Xinhua]

The containment of the new wave of epidemic requires participation of the whole society, Lam told media.

Following an array of new anti-virus measures on Monday, Hong Kong's iconic Ocean Park and Hong Kong Disneyland announced temporary closure starting Wednesday, the third operation suspension for the two parks this year due to the epidemic.

The governments of HKSAR and Singapore on Tuesday also announced the postponement of the Hong Kong-Singapore Air Travel Bubble till next year.

A compulsory testing notice was issued on the same day, requiring employees at nursing homes to undergo COVID-19 tests within two weeks.

Hong Kong's Center for Health Protection reported 82 additional confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, taking its total tally to 6,396.

The newly confirmed cases involved 72 local infections with 24 having an unknown sources of infection.

According to Hong Kong's Hospital Authority, 813 COVID-19 patients are being treated in hospitals, including 14 in critical condition.