Workers disinfect the closed MCP Central in Tseung Kwan O, Hong Kong, April 3, 2021, one day after the health authorities identified two COVID-19 infections linked to the mall. (CALVIN NG/CHINA DAILY)

HONG KONG – Hong Kong reported two new COVID-19 cases on Saturday, pushing the city's overall infection tally to 11,501, as a government official called on the public to be vigilant against COVID-19 during the Easter holiday.

Saturday's sole local infection involved a 5-year-old boy who lives at Tseung Kwan O Village and started showing symptoms on Wednesday. He is linked to an existing local case, according to a press release issued by the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health on Saturday.

The imported case involved a 36-year-old woman from the Philippines. She was asymptomatic and has stayed at Ramada Hong Kong Habour View hotel in Sai Ying Pun following her arrival in the city

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The imported case involved a 36-year-old woman from the Philippines. She was asymptomatic and has stayed at Ramada Hong Kong Habour View hotel in Sai Ying Pun following her arrival in the city.

The city's Secretary for Food and Health Sophia Chan Siu-chee urged residents to continue to comply with social distancing rules and avoid group gatherings.

Country parks, shopping malls and amusement parks in Hong Kong are packed with visitors as a five-day holiday began on Friday. Chan cautioned that intensive social activities might increase the risk of the COVID-19 transmission.

She said people should avoid crowded areas and remain vigilant to prevent a rebound in infections post-holiday. 

In another development, a total of 435 residents were tested for COVID-19 during a targeted testing operation overnight. The operation at Block B, Phase III of Kwan Yick Building in Sai Ying Pun began at around 7 pm on Friday and was completed at around 10:30 am on Saturday.

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Sixteen people were found to have flouted compulsory testing orders and were each fined HK$5,000 (US$645), according to a separate government press release.

As of Friday, around 471,400 Hong Kong residents have received vaccinations against COVID-19. Around 59,800 of them have been fully vaccinated with two doses of Sinovac shot.