People wearing face masks as a precaution against coronavirus infection cross a road at a busy intersection in Hong Kong on Oct 18, 2020. (PETER PARKS / AFP)

HONG KONG – Hong Kong recorded 10 new confirmed COVID-19 cases on Sunday, including seven imported infections and three local cases of unknown origin.

In a statement issued on Sunday afternoon, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health said the total number of confirmed cases in the city stood at 5,374.

In a statement issued on Sunday afternoon, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health said the total number of confirmed cases in the city stood at 5,374

The first local case with unknown sources involved a 38-year-old woman who works at Champion Tower on Garden Road in Central and last went to work on October 16, the CHP said.

She developed a fever on October 19 and consulted a private doctor on November 5. She then submitted a deep throat saliva sample on the following day and tested positive, it added.

ALSO READ: HK food dept sets voluntary virus tests for bar, pub staff

The CHP said the second case of unknown origin involved a 42-year-old woman who sought medical attention at Pok Oi Hospital on November 5 and submitted a deep throat saliva sample on the following day. Her husband had also tested positive for COVID-19 earlier.

The CHP added that the third case with unknown sources involved a 50-year-old man who works at Everbright Centre on Gloucester Road in Wan Chai and last went to work on November 6.

He developed a cough on October 28 and sought medical attention at Hong Kong Baptist Hospital on November 4. He submitted a deep throat saliva sample the following day, the CHP said.

ALSO READ: Four camps to provide COVID-19 tests at HK$240

According to the Hospital Authority, a total of 84 confirmed patients were hospitalized in 20 public hospitals as of Sunday, including seven patients in critical condition and four in serious condition.

Meanwhile, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government arranged for a testing agency to distribute and collect deep throat saliva specimen bottles in Tai Po for three consecutive days starting Sunday to encourage members of the public to undergo free COVID-19 testing.

Members of the public collect specimen bottles from Prenetics agency team members in Tai Po on Nov 8, 2020. (PHOTO / HKSAR GOVT)

The move was made in view of the recent development of the epidemic and based on risk assessment, the government said in a statement issued on Sunday afternoon.

It said the mobile van of testing agency Prenetics will operate from 10 am to 5 pm between November 9 and 10.

READ MORE: CE: HK virus curbs to stay, contact tracing app soon

Members of the public may collect and return the specimen bottles free of charge, the government added.