â€‹The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (February 19) announced the latest epidemic situation of COVID-19. As of 0.00am, February 19, the CHP was investigating 197 additional confirmed cases, 166 additional asymptomatic cases and 5 700 cases with pending case status in the past 24 hours (i.e. there were 6 063 additional cases that tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus in those 24 hours). Hong Kong has recorded a total of 46 763 cases that tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus so far.
     
     The newly reported cases consist of four imported cases and 6 059 locally acquired cases. The CHP is continuing with epidemiological investigation on the cases.

     As at 4pm today, a total of 25 985 cases that tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus have been reported in the past 14 days (February 5 to 18), including 25 893 locally acquired cases and 92 imported cases. 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 18), the total number of confirmed cases were 21 931, while the figures for asymptomatic cases, re-positive cases, pending/unknown cases recorded since January 1 were 2 307, 10 and 16 452 respectively.

     According to the testing and quarantine arrangements for cases with mutant strains, persons who resided or worked within the same building as the residence of relevant cases will be subject to compulsory testing on specified dates in accordance with the announcement by the DH according to risk assessment (see the details of the buildings and dates of testing at www.coronavirus.gov.hk/pdf/CTN_Specified_premises_and_Dates_of_Testing.pdf). A list of buildings related to the cases is available at the "COVID-19 Thematic Website" (www.coronavirus.gov.hk).

     The CHP strongly reminded members of the public to strictly follow the compulsory testing requirements and undergo the multiple tests on time as required. The compulsory testing requirement applies to those who have completed a COVID-19 vaccination course as well. The Government will seriously verify whether they had complied with the testing notices. The Government reiterates that the aim of issuing a compulsory testing notice is to stop the spread of COVID-19 in the community as soon as possible to protect overall public health and safety.

     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.

     A spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) said today (February 19) that after completion of thorough cleaning and disinfection work at Sheung Shui Slaughterhouse (SSSH), live pigs could be delivered to the venue anytime today, while auction could be conducted after 6pm. Slaughtering services also resume normal.   

     To minimise the risk of COVID-19 transmission and to safeguard the health and safety of practitioners, the FEHD will continue to arrange free COVID-19 tests every week for all practitioners (including slaughterhouse's staff, buyers and importers' staff) of SSSH. All persons entering the slaughterhouse must have a negative testing result within seven days, and they must also strictly observe the social distancing arrangements during auction process.

     For prudence's sake, cleaning and disinfection work have also been conducted at Tsuen Wan Slaughterhouse (TWSH). Today, the FEHD has started distributing rapid test kits to practitioners of both SSSH and TWSH for them to take the test every day, with a view to facilitating early identification of infected persons and early seeking of medical attention.

     In light of the positive test results for the COVID-19 virus from some sewage samples collected in Sha Tin, Yau Tsim Mong, Kwai Tsing and Yuen Long, the Home Affairs Department (including the Sha Tin District Office (STDO), the Yau Tsim Mong District Office (YTMDO), the Kwai Tsing District Office (K&TDO) and the Yuen Long District Office (YLDO)) today (February 19) distributed a total of about 8700 COVID-19 rapid test kits (rapid test kits) to households, cleansing workers and property management staff living and working in the Districts.

     The STDO distributed rapid test kits to households, cleansing workers and property management staff living and working in Kam Fai Court for voluntary testing through its property management company.

     The YTMDO also distributed rapid test kits to households, guesthouse guests, shop staff, cleansing workers and property management staff living and working in Chungking Mansions for voluntary testing through the representatives from shops and the property management company. Anti-epidemic promotional posters in ethnic minority languages were also distributed.

     The K&TDO also distributed rapid test kits to cleansing workers and property management staff working in Cheung Ching Estate and Tai Wo Hau Estate for voluntary testing through the Housing Department and the property management companies.

     In addition, the YLDO distributed rapid test kits to cleansing workers and property management staff working in Tin Yiu Estate for voluntary testing through the property management company of the Estate.

     The Home Affairs Department made the above arrangements in the hope of identifying infected persons early, so as to better protect the infected persons and their families. However, the Government stresses that rapid test kit testing is not a substitute for the Government's compulsory testing requirement.

     For more information on rapid test kits, please view the following demonstration video produced by the Centre for Health Protection, the Department of Health: www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeDummTkpA0&t=1s.

     ​The Government appeals for the co-operation of members of the public to safeguard the health of themselves and their families by undergoing testing on a voluntary basis and fighting the virus together. The Government urges all individuals who are in doubt about their own health condition, or individuals with infection risks (such as individuals who visited places with epidemic outbreaks or had contact with cases that tested positive), to undergo testing promptly for early identification of infected persons to reduce the transmission risks of COVID-19.

        

     The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (February 19) announced that in view of cases tested preliminarily positive for COVID-19 found to be related to North Kwai Chung Market and Yan Oi Market, for prudence's sake, the two markets will be closed an hour earlier today at 7pm, as well as all day tomorrow (February 20). Deep cleaning and disinfection will be conducted during the closure period so as to safeguard the health and safety of market stall tenants and the public.

     A spokesman for the FEHD said, "The FEHD has arranged to clean and disinfect the areas where the persons concerned worked. Also, during the deep cleaning and disinfection period, FEHD staff will thoroughly clean and disinfect communal areas and facilities in the markets, and the department calls for the co-operation of market tenants to conduct cleaning and disinfection at their respective stalls. In addition, the FEHD will arrange street washing and disinfection in the vicinity of the markets."

     The FEHD will maintain liaison with tenants of the markets, and ask them to go to community testing centres for free testing as soon as possible, and obtain negative results before they return to the markets to work. If all goes well, the FEHD will reopen the two markets on Monday (February 21) after the completion of the deep cleaning and disinfection work.

     In addition, since Yau Ma Tei Market and Tai Kok Tsui Market were each found to be related to one case tested preliminarily positive for COVID-19, for prudence's sake and to safeguard the health and safety of market stall tenants and the public, the two markets will also be closed an hour earlier today at 7pm. Deep cleaning and disinfection in the areas where the persons concerned work, as well as the communal areas and facilities in the markets, will be conducted during the closure period. Also, the FEHD will call for the co-operation of market tenants to conduct cleaning and disinfection at their respective stalls, and arrange street washing and disinfection in the vicinity of the markets. The FEHD will also ask, in accordance with the Centre for Health Protection's advice, market tenants related to the preliminarily positive cases to undergo COVID-19 testing.

     The spokesman said, "The FEHD attaches importance to the hygiene conditions of public markets. In addition to regular cleaning work in the daytime, market service contractors also conduct thorough cleaning in all markets after the markets are closed every day. With the assistance offered by the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department to the FEHD, we have completed a check on air change and installation of air purifiers according to needs in our markets in 2021, and are now following up with the installation of ultraviolet-C sterilisers at escalator handrails at our markets.

     "During this epidemic period, the FEHD has already stepped up cleaning and disinfection of communal areas and facilities in the markets, including toilets, escalators, elevators and stair handrails, with diluted household bleach regularly every day. Disinfectant hand sanitisers are also provided in the markets for public use."

     The FEHD will continue to closely monitor the situation of each market, and will conduct deep cleaning and disinfection work in other markets if necessary so as to maintain environmental hygiene.

     The Home Affairs Bureau (HAB) announced today (February19) that the Government has launched another edition of the Arts and Culture Sector Subsidy Scheme under the sixth round of the Anti-epidemic Fund (AEF) with a view to further supporting arts groups, individual arts practitioners and freelancers who have been affected by the fifth wave of the COVID-19 epidemic.  

     The HAB will provide a one-off subsidy of $80,000 to each of the eligible performing arts groups which are affected by the epidemic. These groups include the major performing arts groups, arts groups funded by the Hong Kong Arts Development Council (HKADC), venue partners of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and Arts Capacity Development Funding Scheme grantees. 
 
     The HAB will also entrust the HKADC and The Chinese Artists Association of Hong Kong to provide a one-off subsidy of $10,000 to each eligible individual arts practitioner and freelancer who had earlier benefited from the Arts and Culture Sector Subsidy Scheme. Eligible arts practitioner and freelancer will not need to apply separately, Eligible arts practitioners and freelancers who newly entered into the sector and who had not benefited from the fifth round of AEF may start to apply to HKADC from February 23, 2022.

     Also, the HAB will provide rental concession at 75% for tenants of Jockey Club Creative Arts Centre and arts spaces run by the HKADC from April 1, 2022 to September 30, 2022.

     At the same time, the HAB announced that Government will provide a one-off subsidy of $100,000 to each eligible company of the performing industry through the Performing Industry Association (Hong Kong) Limited. 

     A spokesperson of the HAB said, "In light of the continuation of the fifth wave of the epidemic, and that the corresponding social distancing measures have been maintained, we hope that support measures under the sixth round of the AEF will provide some support to the arts and cultural sector and companies organising pop concerts in the performing industry, and be able to help them tide over the difficult time."

     The HAB expects that the disbursement of the above subsidies will be in batches and start from March.