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     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (April 29) announced the latest epidemic situation of COVID-19. As of 0.00am, April 29, the CHP was investigating 196 additional cases that tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus by nucleic acid tests (74 confirmed cases, 104 asymptomatic cases and 18 cases with pending case status) in the past 24 hours. Separately, 170 additional positive cases through rapid antigen tests (RATs) (92 symptomatic cases and 78 asymptomatic cases) were reported. Hong Kong has recorded a total of 758 351 and 445 496 cases that have tested positive by nucleic acid tests and RATs respectively for the SARS-CoV-2 virus so far.

     The aforementioned newly reported cases consist of 14 imported cases (11 cases and three cases tested positive by nucleic acid tests and RATs respectively). 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.

     In addition, as of 0.00am, April 29, a total of 9 085 death cases that had tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus during the fifth wave (since December 31, 2021) were recorded, with 9 011 and 71 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 9 298 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 (April 28), the total number of confirmed cases was 330 525, while the figures for asymptomatic cases, re-positive cases and pending/unknown cases recorded since January 1 were 196 591, 10 and 231 029 respectively.

     As a passenger flight (CX270) operated by Cathay Pacific arriving in Hong Kong from Amsterdam, the Netherlands, on April 28, and a passenger flight (EK384) operated by Emirates from Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, and Bangkok, Thailand, arriving in Hong Kong on the same day, each had three passengers who tested positive upon arrival, the DH thus invoked the Prevention and Control of Disease (Regulation of Cross-boundary Conveyances and Travellers) Regulation (Cap. 599H) to prohibit the landing of passenger flights in Hong Kong from Amsterdam operated by Cathay Pacific, as well as from Dubai and Bangkok operated by Emirates from April 30 to May 6.

     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. Meanwhile, a person who gets COVID-19 and influenza at the same time may be more seriously ill and would have a higher risk of death. Influenza vaccination may reduce the likelihood of hospitalisation and the length of stay. In addition, seasonal influenza vaccination is recommended for all persons aged 6 months or above except those with known contraindications. Persons at higher risk of getting influenza and its complications, including the elderly and children, should receive seasonal influenza vaccination early. Please see details of the vaccination schemes on the CHP’s website (www.chp.gov.hk/en/features/17980.html).

  

     â€‹Hong Kong Customs has mounted a special operation in the past month to combat illicit heat-not-burn (HNB) products as well as nicotine-containing electronic cigarettes and electronic cigarette oil. A total of 51 cases were detected across the territory and about 2.63 million suspected illicit HNB products, about 190 000 suspected nicotine-containing electronic cigarettes and about 5 000 millilitres of suspected nicotine-containing electronic cigarette oil were seized with an estimated market value of about $15 million and a duty potential of about $5 million. 

     During the operation, Customs officers detected 42 cases on the smuggling front, including parcel, air cargo and land cargo channels, at Hong Kong International Airport, Shenzhen Bay Control Point and Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Control Point. Seizures of about 1.95 million suspected illicit HNB products, about 190 000 suspected nicotine-containing electronic cigarettes and about 5 000ml of suspected nicotine-containing electronic cigarette oil were made.

     The other nine cases are storage, distribution and peddling cases. Customs officers seized about 680 000 suspected illicit HNB products in Tuen Mun, Sheung Shui, Kwun Tong, Lam Tin, To Kwa Wan, Cheung Sha Wan and Causeway Bay. Two suspected illicit HNB product storage units were raided and three vehicles suspected to be used for illicit HNB product distribution were detained.

     During the operation, nine men and two women, aged between 28 and 52, were arrested. Investigations of all the cases are ongoing and the likelihood of further arrests is not ruled out.

     Smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

     According to the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance, nicotine-containing electronic cigarette products are classified as pharmaceutical products requiring registration with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong before they can be sold in Hong Kong. In addition, nicotine is a Part 1 poison which can only be sold at pharmacies under the supervision of a registered pharmacist. Illegal sale and possession of Part 1 poisons and unregistered pharmaceutical products are criminal offences. The maximum penalty for each offence is a fine of $100,000 and two years’ imprisonment.

     Customs reminds members of the public and retailers that the Smoking (Public Health) (Amendment) Ordinance 2021 will come into effect tomorrow (April 30). According to the new legislation, any person who imports, promotes, manufactures, sells or possesses for commercial purposes alternative smoking products, including electronic smoking products, heated tobacco products, herbal cigarettes and any related devices, parts and accessories, commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months.

     Customs will continue to take stringent enforcement action against all kinds of illicit cigarette activities.

     Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk). They may call the Department of Health at 2961 8823 for further enquiries and complaints relating to alternative smoking products.

      

     The task force of ensuring medical supplies led by the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau (CEDB) continues to work closely with its Mainland counterparts. Most of the anti-epidemic medical supplies have arrived in Hong Kong in good order and have been distributed to the front line and citizens in need through various channels with a view to stabilising the fifth wave of the epidemic.
     
     A spokesman for the CEDB said today (April 29) that with the staunch support of the Central Government, over 30 types of medical supplies broadly under five main categories, namely testing, personal protection, disinfection, medication and equipment, procured with the co-ordination of the Central Government, have been received.
     
     The supplies include over 250 million rapid antigen test (RAT) kits, 390 million N95/KN95/surgical/medical masks, 90 million sets of personal protective equipment (including protective coveralls, protective gowns, goggles, face shields, shoe covers and surgical/examination gloves), and 1.6 million pulse oximeters. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government expresses gratitude to the Central Government for its donation of 600 000 boxes of anti-epidemic proprietary Chinese medicines. All of them have been distributed through the Food and Health Bureau to residents subject to “restriction-testing declarations”, and through the Hospital Authority to confirmed patients in isolation facilities and those receiving treatment at 18 Chinese medicine clinics.
     
     The task force had earlier provided the Home Affairs Department with over 70 million RAT kits and KN95 masks for distribution to households in Hong Kong via over 3 million anti-epidemic service bags. Millions of additional RAT kits were also made available for collection by people in need at anti-epidemic service bag distribution points. The service bags distributed also included over 7 million boxes of anti-epidemic proprietary Chinese medicines procured with the co-ordination of the Central Government. Meanwhile, following the resumption of classes in kindergartens and primary and secondary schools in phases, all students and teaching staff are required to conduct an RAT before returning to school every day. The task force has distributed 10 million RAT kits to schools via the Education Bureau for use by financially needy students.
     
     The remaining supplies will continue to be distributed to the front line of anti-epidemic work, persons with higher infection risks (such as residents subject to “restriction-testing declarations” or living in areas testing positive under sewage tracing) and people working in high-risk industries (such as cross-boundary goods vehicle drivers, property management staff, cleaning staff and staff of residential care homes for the elderly) through multiple channels. Relevant supplies are being provided daily to confirmed patients and their close contacts and family members in the form of anti-epidemic kits.
      
     The rest of the medical supplies, such as RAT kits and high-grade protective masks in higher demand, are centrally managed and stored by the Government Logistics Department for use and regular withdrawal by relevant departments to meet their demands in the coming months. The task force will continue to review the situation and adjust in a timely manner the procurement of medical supplies according to the Government’s anti-epidemic policies and measures. read more

     The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, today (April 29) visited the Energizing Kowloon East Office (EKEO) to celebrate its 10th anniversary this year with the colleagues thereof, and toured the area to survey the latest developments of the Energizing Kowloon East (EKE) initiative.

     Accompanied by the Secretary for Development, Mr Michael Wong, and the Permanent Secretary for Development (Works), Mr Ricky Lau, Mrs Lam visited the EKEO beneath Kwun Tong Bypass near the promenade to receive a briefing from the Head of the EKEO, Ms Amy Cheung, on the latest progress and achievements of the EKE initiative. With the vision to build the second core business district in Hong Kong, the initiative has borne fruit over the past 10 years. As a case in point, the commercial land supply in terms of gross floor area in Kowloon East has seen a rise by 70 per cent to the current 2.9 million square metres from 1.7 million sq m in 2012, and upon completion of the major planned developments, including the action areas in Kowloon Bay and Kwun Tong, would further increase to a total of over 4 million sq m. By then, its scale would be on par with that of the core business district in Central. Kowloon East has been a major source of office supply in Hong Kong over the past 10 years and would continue to be so in the short to medium term. 

     Mrs Lam proceeded to the venues of the Fly the Flyover Operation adjacent to the EKEO. She was pleased to learn that, upon the continuous stabilisation of the local epidemic, the restaurants and urban farms there have improved their business and many citizens along the way were carrying out different leisure activities. She then received at the promenade a briefing on the progress of the proposed walkways across Kwun Tong Typhoon Shelter and along Wai Yip Street to understand the development concept of Walkable Kowloon East, and visited the refurbished Hoi Bun Road Park. 

     Mrs Lam said, “Time flies. The EKE initiative is celebrating its 10th anniversary. I still remember 10 years ago when I attended the EKEO’s inauguration, I remarked that under the EKE initiative, ‘not only do we have to facilitate the transformation of Kowloon East into another core business district of Hong Kong, we also hope that this core business district would be a go-to destination for the public to work happily, stroll leisurely and enjoy casually’. I am pleased to note that over the years, the EKEO has been steadfastly upholding a visionary, innovative, co-ordinated and integrated operation mode. It has been proactively co-ordinating public and private development projects in the area to realise the development potential of the land there. It has also been pursuing a visionary ‘place-making’ approach to enhancing the pedestrian environment, improving public space and holding various activities. These efforts have gradually transformed Kowloon East from a traditional industrial area into a uniquely attractive core business district.

     “I thank the previous and current Heads of the EKEO, namely Mr Ling Kar-kan, Mr Raymond Lee, Ms Brenda Au and Ms Amy Cheung, who are all town planners, for upholding the Government’s vision for a quality city and leading their teams in taking forward the development of Kowloon East. I have every confidence that the EKEO will continue to co-ordinate the efforts of the Government, business sector and community to help Hong Kong bring in talents and investments, reinforcing the important status of Kowloon East as Hong Kong’s second core business district, and exploiting Hong Kong’s unique advantage as an innovative city and international metropolis.”