Hong Kong's daily new cases of COVID-19 returned to double digits on Friday after remaining under 10 for two days in a row.
In a press briefing on Friday afternoon, Hong Kong's Center for Health Protection reported five imported cases and seven local ones. Among the local cases, four were discovered under the universal community testing program.
As far, some 656,000 residents have gotten tested in more than 100 swab collection stations across Hong Kong since the program was launched on Tuesday. About 953,000 people have pre-registered for the testing.
The government has decided to extend the week-long program by four days to next Friday.
Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Carrie Lam called on more residents to get tested and stressed the universal testing will screen asymptomatic patients, cut transmissions and help Hong Kong to step out of the epidemic.
Hong Kong has reported 4,850 cases since the COVID-19 outbreak. Currently, 261 patients are hospitalized, with 26 in critical condition.
