The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     As at 0.00am today (February 25), a total of 5 050 patients who are suspected of having or have tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus are currently being treated in the North Lantau Hospital Hong Kong Infection Control Centre, the Hospital Authority (HA) Infectious Disease Centre, the Community Treatment Facility at AsiaWorld-Expo and public hospitals. There were 290 patients discharged. Forty-seven patients passed away. Including 12 previously unannounced cases, a total of 519 patients have passed away in public hospitals so far. 

     There are currently around 1 000 patients isolated in the Community Isolation Facility in Penny's Bay, and around 420 patients isolated in the Community Isolation Facility in Tsuen Wan Dorsett Hotel.

     The HA 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 following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     As at 0.00am today (February 25), a total of 5 050 patients who are suspected of having or have tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus are currently being treated in the North Lantau Hospital Hong Kong Infection Control Centre, the Hospital Authority (HA) Infectious Disease Centre, the Community Treatment Facility at AsiaWorld-Expo and public hospitals. There were 290 patients discharged. Forty-seven patients passed away. Including 12 previously unannounced cases, a total of 519 patients have passed away in public hospitals so far. 

     There are currently around 1 000 patients isolated in the Community Isolation Facility in Penny's Bay, and around 420 patients isolated in the Community Isolation Facility in Tsuen Wan Dorsett Hotel.

     The HA 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.

     â€‹The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (February 25) announced the latest epidemic situation of COVID-19. As of 0.00am, February 25, the CHP was investigating 3 825 additional confirmed cases, 318 additional asymptomatic cases and 5 867 cases with pending case status in the past 24 hours (i.e. there were 10 010 additional cases that tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus in those 24 hours). Hong Kong has recorded a total of 94 056 cases that tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus so far.

     The newly reported cases consist of four imported cases and 10 006 locally acquired cases. The CHP is continuing with epidemiological investigations on the cases.

     As at 4pm today, a total of 65 252 cases that tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus had been reported in the past 14 days (February 11 to 24), including 65 163 locally acquired cases and 89 imported cases. A list of buildings related to the cases is available at the "COVID-19 Thematic Website" (www.coronavirus.gov.hk).
 
     In addition, among the earlier cases reported, there were cases (including pending cases) changed to confirmed, asymptomatic or re-positive cases. As at yesterday (February 24), the total number of confirmed cases was 35 067, while the figures for asymptomatic cases, re-positive cases, pending/unknown cases recorded since January 1 were 5 392, 10 and 43 577 respectively.

     â€‹â€‹â€‹â€‹The spokesman for the CHP stressed that the local situation of COVID-19 infection became severe recently and there is a continuous increase in the number of cases involving mutant strains that carry higher transmissibility. With the higher transmissibility and risk of infection of the Omicron mutant strain, the CHP strongly appeals to the community to continue to comply with the social distancing measures, avoid going out and refrain from participating in unnecessary or crowded activities or gatherings (particularly religious or cross-family activities and gatherings). This would lower the risk of infection and prevent the virus from spreading in the community.
 
     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 are 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).

     The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government's Task Force of Supplies from the Mainland 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 to Hong Kong, including vegetables, fruits and other daily food and necessities. The "Sea Express" water transportation service from the Mainland to Hong Kong has been launched with the facilitation and co-ordination of the Mainland authorities and the HKSAR Government as well as the active participation by the trade. Currently, there are at least three daily feeder services supporting waterway cargo supplies, including (1) from Shenzhen Yantian International Container Terminals to Hong Kong Kwai Tsing Container Terminals (KTCT); (2) from Shenzhen DaChan Bay Terminals to KTCT; and (3) from Shenzhen Mawan Container Terminal to Hong Kong River Trade Terminal.

     The Mainland authorities have set up specific green channels for ships and trailers, giving priority to safeguarding the green channels for cross-boundary shipping operations between Shenzhen and Hong Kong. Dedicated berths, supporting equipment and yard facilities have been assigned for ensuring that ships carrying cross-boundary goods have priority for berthing operations. More routes are expected to be launched shortly, with a view to supplying more types of goods from Guangdong Province and the Shenzhen Municipality to Hong Kong.

     In addition, the HKSAR Government and the Mainland authorities have agreed on a series of measures to ensure the smooth operation of the above arrangements, including redeployment of capacities by ship operating companies, devoting anti-epidemic efforts for sea crews, and ensuring the separation of shipboard operations and terminal operations. The Centre for Food Safety has also set up an inspection point in its existing Food Control Office at Kwai Chung Customhouse to expedite the entry of fresh food into the market.

     According to information from the Mainland authorities, the three terminals of Yantian, DaChan Bay and Mawan port transported over 300 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) (around 2 000 tonnes) of supplies to Hong Kong yesterday (February 24), among which more than 30 TEUs (over 300 tonnes) were fresh food and more than 280 TEUs (about 1 700 tonnes) were non-fresh food. Since the launch of the services, a total of about 1 200 TEUs, with over 7 500 tonnes of cargo, have been shipped to Hong Kong from the three terminals, among which about 100 TEUs (about 900 tonnes) have been fresh food and about 1 100 TEUs (over 6 600 tonnes) are non-fresh food.

     In addition to water transport, the HKSAR Government is working with the Shenzhen Municipal People's Government to study in depth the feasibility of transporting goods by railways. The Transport and Housing Bureau, together with the trade, the MTR Corporation Limited and relevant government departments, conducted a site visit at Lo Wu this morning (February 25) and will discuss with the Mainland to arrange trial operations as soon as possible.

     Due to its staff having contracted COVID-19, the Sheung Shui Slaughterhouse was closed today for comprehensive disinfection and the staff had to undergo nucleic acid tests, affecting the supply of local fresh meat. The HKSAR Government is discussing with the Mainland side to deploy professional and experienced personnel to Hong Kong to assist with the resumption of local fresh meat supply at the soonest opportunity possible, with a view to safeguarding the fresh food supply to the people of Hong Kong. The HKSAR Government has requested the meat provider and agents, depending on the actual demand, to increase the import of chilled meat to ensure the supply.

     The HKSAR Government expressed gratitude to the Central Government, the Guangdong Provincial Government and the Shenzhen Municipal People's Government for their support all along. The HKSAR Government will closely monitor the situation, and continue to facilitate and implement various measures with the Mainland authorities to ensure a stable goods supply to Hong Kong as well as to optimise the operation of cross-boundary transportation of supplies.

     A spokesman for the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) said today (February 25) that the son of the Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services, Mr Eric Pang, tested preliminarily positive for COVID-19. Mr Pang tested negative after a COVID-19 rapid antigen test this morning, and his deep throat saliva specimen submitted for testing also showed a negative result.
 
     The son of the director was informed that the testing result of his deep throat saliva specimen was preliminarily positive. He is now at home pending admission to hospital or isolation facility in accordance with the guidelines of the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH).
 
     The Director and other family members are now undergoing home quarantine in accordance with the "StayHomeSafe" Scheme. He will work from home during the quarantine period.
 
     The EMSD has conducted thorough cleaning and disinfection at the relevant offices, and has arranged for relevant staff members to undergo testing.
 
     The EMSD will continue to implement disease prevention measures vigorously, and has reminded all staff members to pay attention to personal hygiene and stay vigilant at all times. They should seek medical advice and inform the EMSD if they are feeling unwell.