Police today (September 4) appealed to the public for information on a man who went missing in Cheung Sha Wan. Lau Chi-cheung, aged 63, went missing after he left an elderly home on Castle … read more
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health has announced that as of 0.00am, September 4, the CHP was investigating 12 additional confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), taking the number of cases to 4 851 in Hong Kong so far (comprising 4 850 confirmed cases and one probable case).
Among the newly reported cases announced, five had a travel history during the incubation period.
The CHP’s epidemiological investigations and relevant contact tracing on the confirmed cases are ongoing. For case details and contact tracing information, please see the Annex 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).
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. As a number of recent cases involve elderly people, 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.
A spokesman for the CHP 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. read more
The Rating and Valuation Department announced today (September 4) that from September 7, the opening hours of its enquiry counters will resume as follows:
from 8.15am to 6pm, Monday to Friday (public holidays excluded)
To achieve social distancing, the department appeals to the public to minimise visiting the enquiry counters in person unless they require services of the department urgently. Members of the public should use the department’s 24-hour electronic services (www.rvd.gov.hk) to submit forms or obtain information as far as possible. They may also contact the department by email (enquiries@rvd.gov.hk), by fax (2152 0138) or by phone at 2152 0111 / 2152 2152. read more
The Government today (September 4) announced that it had submitted the expression of interest to participate in the COVID-19 vaccine Global Access Facility (COVAX Facility), being part of Hong Kong’s two-pronged strategy for procurement of vaccines. The COVAX Facility, co-led by the Vaccine Alliance (Gavi), the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and the World Health Organization (WHO), aims to foster research and development (R&D) as well as production of COVID-19 vaccines, to ensure fair and equitable distribution of vaccines to places around the world and to protect the most vulnerable populations. The aim is to have the vaccines delivered to the participating countries/economies by end 2021.
A spokesman for the Food and Health Bureau said, “Although according to the WHO, currently no vaccine for preventing COVID-19 has yet obtained regulatory approval for human application, we foresee that global competition will be very keen once an efficacious vaccine emerges. Therefore, Hong Kong needs to take early action to reserve potential vaccines for our population in a timely manner. Taking part in the COVAX Facility can serve as a safety net for Hong Kong to a certain extent.”
In view that the COVAX Facility would only be able to serve a proportion of Hong Kong’s population and the vaccines may only be delivered to Hong Kong by end 2021, the Government, having regard to scientific evidence and clinical data and in consultation with the relevant scientific committees under the Department of Health (DH), will pursue additional supplies through Advance Purchase Agreements with individual vaccine developers. To this end, the DH is trying to learn more about the situation of R&D as well as preparation for production of vaccines in other places (including the Mainland), so as to facilitate study and discussion by the scientific committees.
“The Government will continue to adopt the two-pronged strategy to procure vaccines meeting the criteria of safety, efficacy and quality for our population to protect public health,” the spokesman said. read more
From 8am to 8pm today (September 4), a total of about 186 000 persons registered at the community testing centres around the territory for specimen collection for COVID-19 testing under the Universal Community Testing Programme (UCTP). A total of about 656 000 persons have registered at the centres for testing since the launch of the UCTP on September 1.
As at 8pm of September 4, a total of about 284 800 specimens collected under the UCTP had been tested. Specimens tested with positive COVID-19 result will be referred to the Public Health Laboratory Services Branch of the Department of Health for confirmatory tests. Confirmed cases will be followed up and announced by the Centre for Health Protection.
As at 8pm today, a total of about 953 000 persons had made appointments since August 29 when the online booking system opened.
So far there have been 166 cases of one’s personal data being used by others for online booking under the UCTP. After examination, 93 of the cases were found to involve suspected fraudulent use of others’ personal data for booking and they have been referred to the Police.
A spokesman for the Government said that the UCTP aims to identify asymptomatic COVID-19 patients in the community as early as possible for early treatment and thereby stop further infections with the disease.
“We urge all citizens to participate in the testing programme, for the sake of themselves as well as that of other people, and work together to cut the virus transmission chain, so as to facilitate gradual resumption of our normal daily lives and economic activities,” the spokesman said. read more