The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
During the winter surge, the Hospital Authority is closely monitoring the service demand of Accident and Emergency Departments and occupancy rates in public hospitals. Key service statistics are being issued daily for public information. Details are in the attached table.
The Food and Health Bureau met the testing agencies of the community testing centres on December 17 to exchange views on the latest overall testing strategy of the Government under the local fourth wave of epidemic as well as the operation of the community testing centres and mobile specimen collection stations.
The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam and the Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan also joined part of the meeting. Mrs Lam expressed gratitude to the testing agencies for making every effort to fight the virus in unison with the Government and the public throughout the severe epidemic, including mobilising resources under an emergency situation and setting up the community testing centres and mobile specimen collection stations in a short period of time.
The Government has been stepping up surveillance and testing efforts in a multi-pronged approach. In order to identify cases in the community as early as possible to help cut the transmission chains, specified persons are required to undergo compulsory testing on a mandatory basis. On the other hand, the Government also encourages members of the public to undergo testing on an obligatory basis and on a voluntary basis through the Targeted Group Testing Scheme.
The community testing centres provide self-paid testing services for the public at a more affordable price to serve general community or private purposes such as certification for travelling or work. Testing would also, as and when necessary (such as in situations with higher risks of community transmission), be conducted for target groups, specified persons or other members of the public at the testing centres for public health reasons on a needs basis. The Government also arranges for testing agencies to provide free testing services through mobile specimen collection stations in districts with a number of confirmed COVID-19 cases, with a view to facilitating and encouraging residents of the districts or individuals who perceive themselves as having a higher risk of exposure to undergo testing.
Currently, 18 community testing centres have commenced service on Hong Kong Island and in Kowloon, New Territories East and New Territories West, providing testing services for over 10 000 persons per day. Coupled with the community testing centre to commence service soon at Ngau Tau Kok Road Sports Centre, the total daily testing capacity will exceed 20 000 tests.
Since their opening from November 15, in the past month (as at December 15), community testing centres had provided testing service for about 245 000 persons, of which 477 samples tested preliminarily positive (0.19 per cent) and had been referred to the Centre for Health Protection for confirmatory tests and follow-up. From November 23 to December 15, the Government had set up a total of 17 mobile specimen collection stations or specimen bottle distribution point, which provided testing service for a total of more than 103 000 persons, of which 112 samples tested preliminarily positive (0.11 per cent).
To fight against COVID-19, the Government and the public must stand in solidarity to fight the virus. The spokesman appealed to all members of the public who have doubts about their health condition to undergo testing to protect oneself and others and to fight the virus together.
In response to media enquiries regarding the regulation and monitoring of COVID-19 vaccines, the Government today (December 17) gave the following response:
"The Government strives to procure for the Hong Kong population COVID-19 vaccines fulfilling the criteria of safety, efficacy and quality. We will ensure that the relevant clinical research data of the relevant vaccine fulfil the safety and efficacy requirements scientifically after having been assessed by experts. The quality assurance of the vaccine must be well-supported in order for the vaccine to be approved for emergency use in Hong Kong. We are now conducting emergency legislative work for introducing COVID-19 vaccines proven to be safe and effective into Hong Kong. The proposed legislative framework will empower the Secretary for Food and Health, on the premise that the relevant vaccine has received the endorsement of one drug regulatory authority, in accordance with objective medical data of the individual vaccine, including making reference to the expert views of an independent expert advisory panel, to allow the relevant vaccine to be put to designated use in Hong Kong.
The Department of Health (DH) has an established mechanism to closely follow up on every report of adverse drug reaction (including vaccines) received. All along, DH has a pharmacovigilance system in place and conducts causality assessment on reports of Adverse Event Following Immunization (in particular serious adverse events) submitted by drug registration certificate holders and healthcare professionals to ascertain whether they are associated with the vaccination. DH also monitors the latest safety and efficacy assessment issued by drug regulatory authorities of advanced countries and jurisdictions and the references promulgated by the World Health Organization. If the benefits of the vaccine are considered to be outweighed by the risks, DH will take appropriate actions including referral of the relevant information to the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong for review and consideration on the necessity to suspend or revoke the drug registration of the vaccine. With regards to the possible adverse effect following immunisation of COVID-19 vaccines, DH will conduct monitoring based on the relevant requirements under the proposed emergency legislation for use of COVID-19 vaccines and make reference to the prevailing mechanism, while maintaining the same level of vigilance for control.
As regards the issue on legal liability for the emergency use of COVID-19 vaccines, the Government is reviewing international practices in the use of vaccines which are recently developed under the public health emergency situation, with a view to formulating an appropriate arrangement. Defining and clarifying the legal responsibility for the emergency use of COVID-19 vaccines will help Hong Kong obtain COVID-19 vaccines which fulfil the requirements of safety and efficacy as soon as possible, but this does not mean that the drug manufacturer is immune from all relevant responsibilities with regards to the vaccine (including quality assurance etc.).
The Government will on one hand strive for the early supply of COVID-19 vaccines to Hong Kong, and at the same time ensure that all vaccines must satisfy the relevant requirements and procedures, including completion of phase 3 clinical trials and obtaining emergency use approval by the drug regulatory authority of the local jurisdiction and Hong Kong pursuant to the emergency legislation under preparation, with a view to ensuring safety, efficacy and quality of vaccines."
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) announced that as of 0.00am, December 17, the CHP was investigating 96 additional confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), taking the number of cases to 7 900 in Hong Kong so far (comprising 7 899 confirmed cases and one probable case).
Among the newly reported cases announced, six had a travel history during the incubation period.
A total of 1 304 cases have been recorded in the past 14 days (December 3 to 16), including 1 207 local cases of which 440 are from unknown sources.
The CHP's epidemiological investigations and relevant contact tracing on the confirmed cases are ongoing. For case details and contact tracing information, please see Annex One or the list of buildings with confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the past 14 days and the latest local situation of COVID-19 available on the website "COVID-19 Thematic Website" (www.coronavirus.gov.hk).
Meanwhile, the CHP reminded those who had visited the specified venues (Annex Two) under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Compulsory Testing for Certain Persons) Regulation (Cap. 599J) to receive COVID-19 nucleic acid test according to the compulsory testing notice. The public are also urged to seek medical attention early if symptoms develop.
In view of the severe epidemic situation, the CHP called on members of the public to avoid going out, having social contact and dining out. They should put on a surgical mask and maintain stringent hand hygiene when they need to go out. The CHP strongly urged the elderly to stay home as far as possible and avoid going out. They should consider asking their family and friends to help with everyday tasks such as shopping for basic necessities.
The spokesman said, "Given that the situation of COVID-19 infection remains severe and that there is a continuous increase in the number of cases reported around the world, members of the public are strongly urged to avoid all non-essential travel outside Hong Kong.
"The CHP also strongly urges the public to maintain at all times strict personal and environmental hygiene, which is key to personal protection against infection and prevention of the spread of the disease in the community. On a personal level, members of the public should wear a surgical mask when having respiratory symptoms, taking public transport or staying in crowded places. They should also perform hand hygiene frequently, especially before touching the mouth, nose or eyes.
"As for household environmental hygiene, members of the public are advised to maintain drainage pipes properly, regularly pour water into drain outlets (U-traps) and cover all floor drain outlets when they are not in use. After using the toilet, they should put the toilet lid down before flushing to avoid spreading germs."
Moreover, the Government has launched the website "COVID-19 Thematic Website" (www.coronavirus.gov.hk) for announcing the latest updates on various news on COVID-19 infection and health advice to help the public understand the latest updates. Members of the public may also gain access to information via the COVID-19 WhatsApp Helpline launched by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer. Simply by saving 9617 1823 in their phone contacts or clicking the link wa.me/85296171823?text=hi, they will be able to obtain information on COVID-19 as well as the "StayHomeSafe" mobile app and wristband via WhatsApp.
To prevent pneumonia and respiratory tract infections, members of the public should always maintain good personal and environmental hygiene. They are advised to:
• Wear a surgical mask when taking public transport or staying in crowded places. It is important to wear a mask properly, including performing hand hygiene before wearing and after removing a mask;
• Perform hand hygiene frequently, especially before touching the mouth, nose or eyes, after touching public installations such as handrails or doorknobs, or when hands are contaminated by respiratory secretions after coughing or sneezing;
• Maintain drainage pipes properly and regularly (about once a week) pour about half a litre of water into each drain outlet (U-trap) to ensure environmental hygiene;
• Cover all floor drain outlets when they are not in use;
• After using the toilet, put the toilet lid down before flushing to avoid spreading germs;
• Wash hands with liquid soap and water, and rub for at least 20 seconds. Then rinse with water and dry with a disposable paper towel. If hand washing facilities are not available, or when hands are not visibly soiled, performing hand hygiene with 70 to 80 per cent alcohol-based handrub is an effective alternative;
• Cover your mouth and nose with tissue paper when sneezing or coughing. Dispose of soiled tissues into a lidded rubbish bin, then wash hands thoroughly; and
• When having respiratory symptoms, wear a surgical mask, refrain from work or attending class at school, avoid going to crowded places and seek medical advice promptly.
The local COVID-19 epidemic situation is worsening rapidly. The confirmed cases are distributed all over the territory. Some of the confirmed cases are asymptomatic and this indicates the existence of many silent transmission chains in the community.
The Government is very concerned about a number of COVID-19 confirmed cases reported at Lung San House, Lung Poon Court in Wong Tai Sin recently. Starting from today (December 17), the Government has arranged for the testing agency, BGI, to set up a mobile specimen collection station at the basketball court of Lung Poon Court to provide testing service for residents and workers of Lung Poon Court. Operating hours are as follows: December 17 (Thursday), from 4pm to 8pm, and thereafter daily from 10am to 8pm. Tentatively, the mobile specimen collection station will operate until December 21 (Monday). The Government will decide whether it is necessary to extend the operation period of the station after reviewing its usage and public's demand for the testing service.
Through mobile specimen collection stations set up earlier in Wong Tai Sin, Kwun Tong, Sha Tin, Kwai Shing, Kowloon Bay, Tai Po, Tsuen Wan, Tung Chung and Wong Chuk Hang, the Government has been providing free COVID-19 nucleic acid testing services for members of the public. After reviewing the usage and public's demand for the testing service, the Government has decided to extend the service periods of the mobile specimen collection stations at Heung Sze Wui Street in Tai Po, Sha Tsui Road in Tsuen Wan, Wong Tai Sin Square, Tung Chung North Park and Wong Chuk Hang Recreation Ground. The opening dates and operating hours of the mobile specimen collection stations in various districts providing services for the general public are at Annex.
A Government spokesman said, "The testing agencies will provide specimen collection services by combined nasal and throat swabs at the mobile specimen collection stations for testing free of charge. Persons who are subject to compulsory testing and undergo testing at the mobile specimen collection stations will be deemed to have undergone a test at a community testing centre. The mobile specimen collection stations will accord priority to provide testing service for local residents and workers who are subject to compulsory testing."
People whose test results are negative will be informed by SMS through their mobile phones. If any specimen tested shows a preliminarily positive COVID-19 result, the specimen will be referred to the Public Health Laboratory Services Branch of the Department of Health (DH) for a confirmatory test. Confirmed cases will be followed up and announced by the Centre for Health Protection of the DH.
The spokesman urged all individuals who are in doubt about their own health condition, or individuals with exposure to infection risk (such as individuals who visited places with epidemic outbreaks or contacted confirmed cases) to undergo testing promptly for early identification of infected persons.