The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     Regarding an earlier announcement on a medicine and geriatrics ward staff member of Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) who tested preliminarily positive for COVID-19, the spokesperson made the following update today (February 7):

     In view of a healthcare assistant of a medicine and geriatrics ward of PMH who tested preliminarily positive for COVID-19 earlier, regular nucleic acid tests were arranged for staff members who were classified as other contacts. Two nurses who work in the same medicine and geriatrics ward tested preliminarily positive for COVID-19 yesterday (February 6).

     Among them, a 31-year-old female nurse had an onset of a sore throat and cough on February 5 and tested preliminarily positive for COVID-19 yesterday. She was responsible for patient care duties. She conducted a nasopharyngeal swab test for COVID-19 for patients yesterday with appropriate personal protective equipment.  

     Another 29-year-old female nurse who was also responsible for patient care had an onset of a mild dry throat and tested preliminarily positive for COVID-19 yesterday. She does not perform any high-risk clinical procedures and is equipped with appropriate personal protective equipment at work.

     The two nurses concerned worked on the same ward with the healthcare assistant, who was confirmed positive for COVID-19 on February 3. Upon the assessment of the hospital's infection control team, it cannot be ruled out that there is a linkage among the three cases.

     The hospital's infection control team has conducted contact tracing. No staff members or patients are classified as close contacts at the moment. Twenty-four inpatients in the ward concerned tested negative for COVID-19. Admission to the ward concerned has been suspended earlier. A thorough cleaning and disinfection has been arranged.

     PMH will continue to communicate with the Centre for Health Protection on the latest situation.

The following press release is issued on behalf of the University Grants Committee:
 
     Following the announcement by the Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) on the retirement of its President, Professor Stephen Cheung, upon completion of his current term the Chairman of the University Grants Committee (UGC), Mr Carlson Tong, expressed thanks to Professor Cheung for his significant contributions over the years.
 
     Mr Tong said, "Professor Stephen Cheung was appointed as the President of the Hong Kong Institute of Education in 2013 and spearheaded its successful effort to attain a university title for the EdUHK in 2016. During his tenure, Professor Cheung has championed the 'Education-plus' approach of the EdUHK that seeks to lead educational innovation as well as promote and support the strategic development of teaching, teacher education and disciplines complementary to education. With Professor Cheung's passion for social innovation and under his leadership, the EdUHK has been engaging in various knowledge transfer activities which benefit the education sector and the community as a whole. On behalf of the UGC, I would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to Professor Cheung for his support of the work of the UGC and his contributions."

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     Based on the risk stratification patient management strategy, the Hospital Authority (HA) announced today (February 7) that a medical post will be established in the new community isolation facility in Penny's Bay to be activated tomorrow (February 8) to support the medical service needs of citizens under isolation arrangements.
 
     "The facility mainly receives low-risk patients from hospitals or community treatment facilities who have no, or only mild, symptoms; and are young and independent," the HA spokesman said.
 
     "According to the clinical experience in Hong Kong and data from around the world, these confirmed patients do not require any treatment. Generally, they only need to be isolated until the virus in the body drops to a safe level. It typically takes five to 10 days for these patients to be discharged."
 
     The spokesman said that this arrangement could lessen demand on hospital isolation wards and community treatment facilities as soon as possible for patients with higher risks of medical care requirements, in particular those unvaccinated elderly and paediatric patients, as well as chronically ill patients.
 
     Generally speaking, citizens who are isolated in the community isolation facility do not require clinical care. As a precaution, the HA will set up a medical post in the facility to provide medical consultation services and symptom-relieving medications. Patients will be arranged for transfer to hospitals for other medical needs if necessary.

     The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (February 7) said that an assistant clerical officer and a workman have tested preliminarily positive for COVID-19. 

     The assistant clerical officer concerned works at Yeung Uk Road Municipal Services Building in Tsuen Wan and is responsible for clerical work. He last performed duties on January 31. His residence was included in a compulsory testing notice and he thus was tested.

     The workman concerned is stationed at Mong Kok Road Refuse Collection Point, and is responsible for cleaning work in Mong Kok District. She last performed duties on February 6. Colleagues at the same workplace had tested preliminarily positive for COVID-19 earlier, and she thus was tested.

     The above-mentioned staff members wore masks and followed relevant disease prevention measures at work. The FEHD has conducted cleaning and disinfection at the relevant work places and in the vicinities in accordance with the Centre of Health Protection (CHP)'s advice. The FEHD is arranging the co-workers of the staff members concerned to undergo COVID-19 testing. The FEHD will continue to maintain close communication with the CHP and will fully co-operate to trace the close contacts concerned. Also, arrangements on staff deployment will be made to ensure that relevant services are not affected.

      The FEHD has been strictly implementing disease prevention measures during the epidemic. Staff members are reminded to pay attention to personal hygiene and to stay vigilant. They should seek medical advice immediately if feeling unwell.

     A spokesman for the Education Bureau (EDB) said today (February 7) that an officer of the bureau had tested preliminarily positive for COVID-19 today.

     The officer concerned works at 3/F, 14 Taikoo Wan Road, Taikoo Shing, and does not have contact with members of the public in her daily work. The officer last returned to her office on January 27. She wore a face mask when performing duties in the office and observed other disease prevention measures.

     The EDB has been following up on the case with the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health and is waiting for further instructions from the CHP. The EDB will arrange a thorough cleaning and disinfection at the premises concerned and in the officer's vicinity, and will also advise all colleagues having contact with the officer concerned, or those who work in the vicinity of her workstation, to undergo testing for COVID-19 according to the guidelines of the CHP.

     During the pandemic, the EDB has been strictly implementing various disease prevention measures, including requesting staff to wear face masks when in contact with others and at public places. Cleaning and sterilising measures for the working environment have also been stepped up. The EDB has also reminded all staff to pay attention to personal hygiene and to stay vigilant at all times. They should seek medical advice immediately if they feel unwell and inform the bureau accordingly.

     The EDB will continue to maintain close liaison with the CHP and co-operate with its quarantine work.