Employees and visitors wearing face masks to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus, take selfies at the Hong Kong Disneyland on June 18, 2020. (KIN CHEUNG / AP)

HONG KONG — The Center for Health Protection (CHP) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government reported on Friday three new confirmed cases of COVID-19, taking the total number of confirmed cases to 1,196.

The new cases involved three males aged between seven and 26, who all had travel history during the incubation period, the CHP said, adding that epidemiological investigations and relevant contact tracing are underway.

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The CHP urged residents to avoid all non-essential travel outside Hong Kong as the COVID-19 situation remained severe and there is a continuous increase in the number of cases around the world.

According to Hong Kong's Hospital Authority, 97 patients are still in hospital, including one in critical condition. 

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