A shopkeeper arranges shoes at his shop in Hong Kong, July 22, 2020. (PARKER ZHENG/CHINA DAILY)

HONG KONG - Hong Kong reported six new COVID-19 cases on Saturday, including three local infections, as a temporary testing center in Wan Chai opened for members of the public to take free virus tests.

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The three imported cases were from India, according to a government press release issued on Saturday afternoon.

All three local cases were linked to previously confirmed infections. They involved a 55-year-old resident at The Home Of Treasure in Kwai Chung, a 29-year-old man who lived in Sham Shui Po, and a 41-year-old woman who resided in Tung Chung. The new cases brought the city’s infection tally to 5,175.

A total of 123 patients are being treated in hospitals, among which eight are in critical condition, according to the Hospital Authority.

Thai people who want to join the free virus test can collect the packs from 10 am to 5 pm on Saturday and Sunday at Lok Sin Tong Lee Yin Yee United Centre - Support Service Centre for Ethnic Minorities

4 temporary testing centers

In light of the worsening epidemic situation in the financial hub, the government opened a temporary testing center in Wan Chai on Saturday to take specimens from members of the public who want to take the test voluntarily. Another center in Kwai Tsing will open on Sunday while opening periods of two others -- in Kowloon City and Yau Tsim Mong districts respectively -- will be announced later.      

A government spokesman said the latest arrangements aimed to identify COVID-19 cases and asymptomatic patients as early as possible to cut the transmission chains in the community.

“The temporary district-based testing is voluntary and free of charge. No prior appointment is required. Members of the public who consider themselves as having a higher risk of exposure to the virus may visit any of the testing centers during its opening hours for taking combined nasal and throat swab specimens,” a government spokesman said in a release issued on Friday.      

"Except for children under six years old and people not suitable for the test, all holders of valid HKID cards, birth certificates or any other valid identity document who are asymptomatic can visit the nearest temporary test center for specimen collection," the spokesman said.

The Wan Chai center, located at Harbour Road Sports Centre, and the Kwai Tsing center, located at Shek Lei Community Hall, both has an estimated daily testing capacity of 1,000 specimens. They will be opened until Wednesday tentatively.

The government may extend of opening period of the centers if necessary.

Free testing for Thais

Also on Saturday, the Home Affairs Department arranged to distribute specimen collection packs in Kowloon City in a voluntary free testing service for Thai people after an increase in cases involving Thais in the city.

Those who want to join the test can collect the packs from 10 am to 5 pm on Saturday and Sunday at Lok Sin Tong Lee Yin Yee United Centre - Support Service Centre for Ethnic Minorities.

Participates can return the bottles to Lok Sin Tong Chan Kwong Hing Memorial Primary Health Centre from 9 am to 12 noon on Oct 12 and 13.

The Kowloon City District Office has contacted organizations serving Thai people in the district through Lok Sin Tong to inform them about the testing scheme.

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Lok Sin Tong will arrange Thai volunteers to provide onsite assistance to participants and provide them with guidelines written in Thai.