Hong Kong's health authorities reported a record 55,353 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday and 117 deaths.

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said that with the strong support of the central government, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government has been able to conduct several mass virus tests in a short period of time to achieve the goal of "dynamic zero infection".

Noting that the testing may be accompanied by a certain level of lockdown, Lam stressed that a citywide lockdown will not be implemented.

The government will take residents' needs and Hong Kong's special status as an international financial hub into consideration when planning the testing, Lam said.

Stressing supplies of food and goods in the city remain sufficient, Lam appealed to the public to remain calm in the face of the pandemic and not to stockpile.