In light of positive test results for the COVID-19 virus from sewage samples collected in Islands, Kowloon City and Kwun Tong Districts, the Home Affairs Department (HAD) said today (August 13) that the Islands District Of… read more
The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority: As at 0.00am today (August 13), a total of 1 604 patients who tested positive for COVID-19 are currently hospitalised for treatment, including 220 new p… read more
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (August 13) announced the latest epidemic situation of COVID-19. As of 0.00am, August 13, the CHP was investigating 5 148 additional locally acquired cases that tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, comprising 1 839 cases that tested positive by nucleic acid tests (739 confirmed cases, 782 asymptomatic cases and 318 cases with pending status) and 3 309 cases that tested positive by rapid antigen tests (RATs) verified in the past 24 hours.
Separately, 160 additional imported cases were reported, including 132 cases that tested positive by nucleic acid tests (13 confirmed cases, 54 asymptomatic cases and 65 cases with pending status) and 28 cases that tested positive by RATs.
Hong Kong has recorded a total of 842 717 and 569 326 cases that have tested positive by nucleic acid tests and RATs respectively for the SARS-CoV-2 virus so far.
The CHP is continuing with epidemiological investigations of the cases. Please refer to the “COVID-19 Thematic Website” (www.coronavirus.gov.hk) for more information.
As of yesterday (August 12), among the specimens received by the DH’s Public Health Laboratory Services Branch in the past seven days for verification testing of local cases, about 7 per cent and 14 per cent of them are related to the sub-lineages BA.2.12.1 and BA.4/BA.5 (including suspected cases) under the Omicron mutant strain respectively.
In addition, as of 0.00am, August 13, a total of 9 349 death cases that had tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus during the fifth wave (since December 31, 2021) were recorded, with 9 269 and 77 deaths reported from the Hospital Authority and public mortuaries respectively as well as three deaths reported from the Chinese University of Hong Kong Medical Centre. Hong Kong has so far recorded a total of 9 562 death cases that tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Furthermore, among the earlier cases by nucleic acid tests reported, there were cases (including pending cases) changed to confirmed, asymptomatic or re-positive cases. As at yesterday, the total number of confirmed cases was 364 409, while the figures for asymptomatic cases, re-positive cases and pending/unknown cases recorded since January 1 were 240 150, 31 and 236 156 respectively.
The spokesman for the CHP stressed that as the local situation of COVID-19 infection is still severe, the CHP strongly appeals to the community to continue to comply with social distancing measures, avoid going out and refrain from participating in unnecessary or crowded activities or gatherings. This would lower the risk of infection and prevent the virus from spreading in the community.
​The spokesman reminded the public that COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective in preventing severe cases and deaths from the SARS-CoV-2 virus. They can provide effective protection to those vaccinated in preventing serious complications and even death after infection. People who have yet to receive vaccination, especially senior citizens, chronic patients and other immunocompromised persons who face a higher chance of death after COVID-19 infection, should get vaccinated as early as possible for self-protection and to reduce the risk of falling seriously ill and death should they get infected. read more
The Government reminded persons-in-charge or managers of premises who are required to use the QR Code Verification Scanner today (August 13) that they must have their scanners updated to version 4.4.0 or above and connected to the Internet. This is to ensure that checking of the Vaccine Pass of customers or visitors can be performed accurately to comply with the Government’s newly introduced Red and Amber Codes arrangement.
A Government spokesman said, “The latest versions of the ‘LeaveHomeSafe’ (LHS) mobile application and the QR Code Verification Scanner which support the Red and Amber Codes have been operating smoothly. In cases which individual persons are unable to obtain a Red Code, it may be attributed to various reasons, such as the relevant persons were confirmed to be a positive case before the Red Code was introduced (i.e. before August 9), their LHS mobile application has not been updated to version 3.4.0 or above or their mobile devices were not connected to the Internet. It may also be caused if they have used a different identity document and number when undergoing nucleic acid tests/declaring positive rapid antigen test (RAT) results/making inbound declarations, other than the one they used for receiving vaccination. For any doubt, members of the public may call the LHS hotline (2626 3066) to seek assistance. The operation of the Red and Amber Codes has been running smoothly. To date, over 48 million times of matching were performed by the system and about 28 000 codes conversions were conducted.”
Furthermore, under the current requirements of isolation order, confirmed cases who have received at least two doses of COVID-19 vaccines may complete the isolation on Day 7 the earliest if they obtained negative RAT results for two consecutive days. Their Red Code will be converted to a Blue Code upon self-declaration through the system.
At present, when confirmed cases complete self-declaration of positive RAT results online, or receive positive results after undergoing nucleic acid tests, their LHS mobile application of version 3.4.0 or above will automatically conduct matching with system information through Internet connection. The system will then convert their Vaccine Pass QR code to a Red Code according to the record.
Persons who have received at least two doses of COVID-19 vaccines may complete their isolation early after obtaining negative RAT results on both Day 6 and Day 7 (or two consecutive days thereafter). They are required to self-declare the negative RAT results on the website (www.evt.gov.hk). Upon receipt of declaration by the system, the LHS will conduct matching with system information through Internet connection and the Red Code of relevant persons will then be reverted to a Blue Code automatically. It is noteworthy that the Vaccine Pass will remain as a Red Code before self-declaration was completed by confirmed cases. For persons who have not been vaccinated or have only received one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, they are required to complete a 14-day isolation at the isolation premises. The Red Code will subsequently revert to the Blue Code automatically.
Inbound persons from overseas places or Taiwan will be issued a quarantine order upon arrival in Hong Kong. The system will automatically display their Vaccine Pass QR Code as an Amber Code. When their medical surveillance period ends (i.e. 9am on Day 7 after arrival), the LHS will conduct matching with system information through Internet connection and automatically convert their Amber Code to a Blue Code.
The spokesman added, “We also noticed that a small number of persons encountered difficulties when entering premises subject to ‘active checking’. Follow-up action was taken immediately to review the system, ensuring that the code conversion operation is in order to update the QR code for relevant persons to a correct one. As some premises are still using outdated QR Code Verification Scanners which are yet to be updated to version 4.4.0 or above in time, it may also result in situation that individual persons are unable to enter such premises with the Vaccine Pass.”
The Government reminded persons-in-charge or managers of relevant premises that they are required to use the updated version of scanners starting from August 12 according to the latest directions issued under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Requirements and Directions) (Business and Premises) Regulation (Cap. 599F). Should members of the public have any enquiries about the LHS and the conversion of codes, they may call the LHS hotline (2626 3066). All enquiries concerning code conversion received by the hotline over the past few days have been properly handled. read more
​The Home Affairs Department is opening 18 community halls/community centres as temporary heat shelters today (August 13).
The temporary heat shelters will remain open for people to take refuge from the heat when the Very Hot Weather Warning is in force. From 10.30 pm to 8am the next day, the temporary heat shelters will also provide bedding and a sleeping place for people in need. The shelters are manned by duty attendants.
In light of the implementation of mandatory use of the “LeaveHomeSafe” mobile application when entering government premises, all persons are required to use the app to scan the venue QR code before they are allowed to enter temporary heat shelters, except for exempted persons (including persons who are aged below 12 or aged 65 or above, persons with disabilities that render use of the app difficult and persons without smartphones). All exempted persons are required to complete a prescribed form to register their personal particulars, contact phone number and the date and time of entry. The staff will verify the information provided.
For further information, please call the department’s hotline before midnight on 2572 8427.
The heat shelters are located at:
Hong Kong Island:
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Central and Western –
Sai Ying Pun Community Complex Community Hall
3/F, Sai Ying Pun Community Complex
2 High Street, Sai Ying Pun
Eastern –
Causeway Bay Community Centre
3/F, 7 Fook Yum Road, Causeway Bay
Southern –
Wah Kwai Community Centre
Wah Kwai Estate, Kellett Bay
Wan Chai –
Wan Chai Activities Centre
LG/F, Wan Chai Market, 258 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai
Kowloon Districts:
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Kowloon City –
Hung Hom Community Hall
1/F, Kowloon City Government Offices
42 Bailey Street, Hung Hom
Kwun Tong –
Lam Tin (West) Estate Community Centre
71 Kai Tin Road, Lam Tin
Sham Shui Po –
Shek Kip Mei Community Hall
G/F, Block 42, Shek Kip Mei Estate, Sham Shui Po
Wong Tai Sin –
Tsz Wan Shan (South) Estate Community Centre
45 Wan Wah Street, Tsz Wan Shan
Yau Tsim Mong –
Henry G Leong Yaumatei Community Centre
60 Public Square Street, Yau Ma Tei
New Territories Districts:
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Islands –
Tung Chung Community Hall
G/F, Tung Chung Municipal Services Building, 39 Man Tung Road, Tung Chung
Kwai Tsing –
Kwai Shing Community Hall
Podium, Block 6, Kwai Shing West Estate, Kwai Chung
North –
Cheung Wah Community Hall
Cheung Wah Estate, Fanling
Sai Kung –
Chi Shin Activity Centre
G/F, Tseung Kwan O South Ancillary Facilities Block, 5 Chi Shin Street, Tseung Kwan O
Sha Tin –
Lung Hang Estate Community Centre
Lung Hang Estate, Sha Tin
Tai Po –
Tai Po Community Centre
2 Heung Sze Wui Street, Tai Po
Tsuen Wan –
Lei Muk Shue Community Hall
G/F, Hong Shue House, Lei Muk Shue Estate, Tsuen Wan
Tuen Mun –
Wu Shan Road Community Hall
101 Wu Shan Road, Tuen Mun
Yuen Long –
Long Ping Community Hall
Long Ping Estate, Yuen Long
In addition to the above heat shelters, a number of community halls/community centres can also be used for taking refuge from the heat during their operating hours. For their address details, please browse the following document: www.had.gov.hk/file_manager/en/documents/public_services/emergency_services/List_CH_CC_Day_E.pdf. read more