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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The spokesperson of Tseung Kwan O Hospital today (September 3) made an announcement regarding an incident of loss of deep throat saliva specimens:
The hospital received report from Tseung Kwan O (Po Ning Road) General Out-patient Clinic (GOPC) this afternoon that the deep throat saliva specimen collection box located outside the clinic was lost.
Upon notification of the incident, staff of the clinic immediately searched the vicinity of the clinic and checked the CCTV record. The CCTV record revealed that the collection box was taken away by an old man at around 1pm. The staff has reported the incident to the police for assistance. The staff of clinic later tried to call an old man who left the clinic after taking the medicine from the clinic’s pharmacy at around the incident time. The man admitted that he had taken away the collection box and abandoned the box at Hau Tak Estate car park. The police found the box at the said car park at around 7.45pm after staff of the clinic updated the findings to the police. The police has returned the box to the clinic.
The clinic will call the individual members of the public whose specimens were found in the box for their re-submission of the deep throat saliva specimen. The clinic also appeals the public who have submitted specimen packs today at Tseung Kwan O (Po Ning Road) GOPC to contact the clinic at 2191 1083 for the arrangement.
Since the specimen packs contain personal information, the clinic would report the incident to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data. The clinic concerned will review the security measures of handling the specimen collection box and apologises to the public for the inconvenience caused. read more
From 8am to 8pm today (September 3), a total of about 192 000 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 470 000 persons have registered at the centres for testing since the launch of the UCTP on September 1.
As at 8pm of September 3, a total of about 138 100 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 884 000 persons had made appointments since August 29 when the online booking system opened.
So far there have been 143 cases of one’s personal data being used by others for online booking under the UCTP. After examination, 80 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
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health has announced that as of 0.00am, September 3, the CHP was investigating eight additional confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), taking the number of cases to 4 839 in Hong Kong so far (comprising 4 838 confirmed cases and one probable case).
Among the newly reported cases announced, one 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