The Task Force on Supplies from the Mainland led by the Transport and Logistics Bureau (TLB) has been working closely with the Guangdong Provincial Government and the Shenzhen Municipal People's Government to explore various means to stabilise the supply of goods from the Mainland to Hong Kong.
 
     A spokesperson for the TLB said that the "Sea Express" water transportation service from the Mainland to Hong Kong has been fully launched and its capacity is rising to increase the supplies of fresh food, other daily necessities and manufacturing materials. The current supply of fresh food from the Mainland is stable.
 
     The spokesperson said today (July 21) that Shenzhen operated 35 cargo vessel trips and transported around 2 780 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of cross-boundary supplies by water yesterday (July 20), equivalent to about 14 860 tonnes of goods, of which around 10 TEUs (about 30 tonnes) were fresh food and around 2 770 TEUs (about 14 830 tonnes) were non-fresh food, according to information from the Mainland authorities.
 
     Since the launch of services from the three ports in Shenzhen since February 18 to yesterday, a total of around 695 520 TEUs of cross-boundary supplies have been transported, equivalent to about 3 396 800 tonnes of goods, of which around 2 140 TEUs (about 18 320 tonnes) were fresh food and around 693 380 TEUs (about 3 378 480 tonnes) were non-fresh food.
 
     Meanwhile, to avoid a spillover of the epidemic, the Transport Department (TD) arranges for dedicated staff to conduct rapid nucleic acid tests, using nasopharyngeal swabs for specimen collection, for cross-boundary goods vehicle drivers at various land boundary control points. Only drivers with a negative result are allowed to enter the Mainland. A total of 3 824 rapid nucleic acid tests were conducted yesterday, among which five cases that tested preliminarily positive or indeterminate were found. The TD has passed the cases to the Department of Health for follow-up.
 
     The TLB will closely monitor the situation and co-operate with the Mainland authorities to facilitate and implement various measures to ensure both smooth cross-boundary land transport and a stable goods supply to Hong Kong, while reducing the risk of epidemic transmission in both the Mainland and Hong Kong.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and Cyberport, supported by Deloitte, co-organised today (July 21) the second Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Regtech Lab (AMLab), which is part of the HKMA's "Fintech 2025" strategy. Building on the first session held last November (Note 1), which explored network analytics capability, the second AMLab focuses on low-barrier, easy-to-implement technologies, such as robotic process automation, low-code/no-code platforms and visualisation tools. These "enabling technologies" allow automation of repetitive and time-intensive processes, managing large volumes of data to draw insights from data analysis to be presented in easily understood formats. 

     In this AMLab, a group of five small and medium-sized banks collaborated with technical experts to:
 

1. target common pain points in essential but repetitive AML operations, such as customer due diligence at on-boarding and record keeping;
2. identify applicable technology solutions to address the common pain points and develop business cases for the adoption of "enabling technologies"; and 
3. gain hands-on experience with relevant technologies and explore potential use cases to cope with individual circumstances.

     A new Regtech Connect session also took place immediately following the AMLab, in which technology companies in Cyberport demonstrated a range of tools and services, connecting with participating banks in open and collaborative discussions regarding the use of AML Regtech.

     The Executive Director (Enforcement and AML) of the HKMA, Ms Carmen Chu, said at the AMLab session, "In the digital era, our AML work has to be faster, smarter and more effective. The technologies we have worked with today offer innovative ways to strengthen the capacity of our talent to prevent and detect abuse of bank accounts for fraud and money laundering, and thus safeguarding the stability and integrity of the financial system."

     The Chief Public Mission Officer of Cyberport, Mr Eric Chan, said, "Regtech is one of the key focuses of Cyberport's Fintech community. Many of our Regtech start-ups can offer low cost and easily adoptable solutions to accelerate digital transformation of financial institutions. We are delighted to partner with the HKMA and organise the Regtech Connect for banks and start-ups to explore collaboration opportunities, further facilitating the adoption of AML Regtech solutions."

     The HKMA and Cyberport will continue to encourage innovation and arrange further AMLabs on other solutions such as Regtech tools for banks' transaction monitoring, in order to share hands-on experience and further enhance capability.
 
About HKMA

     The HKMA is Hong Kong's central banking institution. The HKMA's main functions are: (i) maintaining currency stability within the framework of the Linked Exchange Rate System; (ii) promoting the stability and integrity of the financial system, including the banking system; (iii) helping to maintain Hong Kong's status as an international financial centre, including the maintenance and development of Hong Kong's financial infrastructure; and (iv) managing the Exchange Fund.
 
About Cyberport

     Cyberport is an innovative digital community with over 1 800 members including over 800 on-site and 900 off-site start-ups and technology companies. It is managed by Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited, wholly owned by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government. With a vision to be the hub for digital technology, thereby creating a new economic driver for Hong Kong, Cyberport is committed to nurturing a vibrant tech ecosystem by cultivating talent, promoting entrepreneurship among youth, supporting startups, fostering industry development by promoting strategic collaboration with local and international partners, and integrating new and traditional economies by accelerating digital transformation in public and private sectors.
 
     For more information, please visit www.cyberport.hk.

Note 1: See Press Release dated November 5, 2021: www.hkma.gov.hk/eng/news-and-media/press-releases/2021/11/20211105-6

        

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     As at 0.00am today (July 21), a total of 1 233 patients who tested positive for COVID-19 are currently hospitalised for treatment, including 163 new patients. Among the patients staying in isolation facilities, 379 patients are in isolation wards, 23 patients are in second-tier isolation wards and 409 patients are in the North Lantau Hospital Hong Kong Infection Control Centre, of which 130 in total are new patients. There are two newly reported critical patients and seven newly reported serious patients. There are a total of 18 patients in critical condition and 25 are in serious condition, of which five critical patients are receiving intensive care. Moreover, there are 134 patients who have recovered, including 124 patients who have been discharged. In addition, three patients who passed away in public hospitals were reported.
 
     In the fifth wave of the epidemic, there are 54 069 patients who have recovered so far, including 53 807 patients who have been discharged. And since early 2020, there are 66 449 patients who have recovered, including 66 187 patients who have been discharged.
 
     The Hospital Authority will maintain close contact with the Centre for Health Protection to monitor the latest developments and to inform the public and healthcare workers on the latest information in a timely manner.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (July 21) announced the latest epidemic situation of COVID-19. As of 0.00am, July 21, the CHP was investigating 4 076 additional locally acquired cases tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, including 1 496 cases tested positive by nucleic acid tests (665 confirmed cases, 690 asymptomatic cases and 141 cases with pending case status) and 2 580 cases tested positive by rapid antigen tests (RATs) verified in the past 24 hours.

     Separately, 299 additional imported cases were reported, including 287 cases tested positive by nucleic acid tests (17 confirmed cases, 216 asymptomatic cases and 54 cases with pending case status) and 12 cases tested positive by RATs.

     Hong Kong has recorded a total of 802 577 and 506 631 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 on the cases. Please refer to the "COVID-19 Thematic Website" (www.coronavirus.gov.hk) for more information.

     Meanwhile, according to the analysis by the DH's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch, as of yesterday (July 20), Hong Kong had recorded a total of 19 cases, 1 441 cases and 1 180 cases carrying the sub-lineages BA.2.12, BA.2.12.1 and BA.4/BA.5 under the Omicron mutant strain respectively (including suspected cases), among which zero, 1 212 and 470 of them are local cases.

     In addition, as of 0.00am, July 21, a total of 9 235 death cases that had tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus during the fifth wave (since December 31, 2021) were recorded, with 9 157 and 75 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 9 448 death cases that have 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 347 859, while the figures for asymptomatic cases, re-positive cases and pending/unknown cases recorded since January 1 were 219 703, 24 and 233 208 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.

     â€‹The spokesman reminded 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.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (July 21) received notification from the National Health Commission of a bubonic plague case in Yinchuan, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, and is closely monitoring the situation.

     The case involves a 45-year-old male patient living in Yinchuan. He worked on a farm in Ordos, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. He developed symptoms on July 12 and was confirmed to have bubonic plague on July 19. The patient is currently in stable condition.

     A spokesman for the CHP said, "Plague is transmitted from an infected animal (mainly rodents) to humans through the bite of its fleas. Plague can also be contracted when cuts or other breaks in the skin come into contact with the body fluid or tissue of infected animals. Consumption of infected animal tissues and inhalation of infected respiratory droplets are also a possible mode of transmission."

     The spokesman explained that bubonic plague is a kind of plague which is not usually transmitted directly from person to person unless there is contact with pus from suppurating buboes. Patients infected with bubonic plague usually present with fever, headache and painful swelling of the regional lymph nodes, especially around the groin. The infection can progress to septicaemic plague when the bacteria invade the blood stream.

     The spokesman reminded travellers to avoid visiting plague-endemic areas. They should also heighten vigilance on rodents and prevent flea bites. Insect repellents against mosquitoes may equally prevent flea bites and deter blood-sucking insects. Formulations in lotions or sprays should contain DEET, IR3535 or icaridin (also known as picaridin) as active ingredients. The public should refer to the CHP's tips for using insect repellents.

     "Travellers returning from affected areas with a sudden onset of fever, shaking chills, body pains or chest discomfort should seek medical advice as soon as possible and reveal their travel history for prompt investigation and management. Plague is a statutorily notifiable disease and doctors should report suspected or confirmed cases to the CHP for investigations and control," the spokesman added.

     Travellers should take heed of the health advice below during travel:
 

• Prevent flea bites by wearing long-sleeved shirts and trousers, and applying insect repellent/insecticide. DEET-containing insect repellent can be applied to exposed skin and clothing, while insecticide containing permethrin can be applied to clothing, not the skin;
• Avoid going to rural areas, camping or hunting;
• Never eat or touch rodents, dead animals and their tissues or contaminated materials;
• Avoid close contact with patients, especially those with cough or chest infection;
• Avoid going to crowded areas;
• Seek medical care immediately in case of a sudden onset of fever, chills, painful lymph nodes, difficulty in breathing with coughing and/or blood-tainted sputum; and
• Consult a doctor immediately after contact or exposure to pneumonic plague patients or high-risk exposures, such as bites from fleas or direct contact with body fluids or tissues of potentially infected animals, for prompt assessment of the need for preventive medication.

     Travellers may visit the CHP's plague page, Travel Health News and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department's advice on rodent control for details.