The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     Regarding an earlier announcement on Candida auris carrier cases, the spokesperson for Kowloon West Cluster gave the following update today (August 25):
 
     According to contact tracing results, a 75-year-old male patient who had stayed in a surgical ward of Princess Margaret Hospital has been confirmed as a Candida auris carrier while not having signs of infection. The patient has been transferred to the Extended Care Ward of North Lantau Hospital earlier and is now under isolation in stable condition.

     In accordance with the prevailing guidelines, the cluster has continued contact tracing for the patient. The following enhanced infection control measures have already been adopted:
 
1. Thorough cleaning and disinfection of the wards concerned;
2. Enhanced patient and environmental screening procedures; and
3. Application of stringent contact precautions and enhanced hand hygiene for staff and patients.
 
     The cluster will continue to closely monitor the situation of the patients. The case has been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for the Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) made the following announcement today (August 25) regarding two supporting staff members who were tested preliminarily positive to COVID-19:
      
     PMH was informed on August 24 evening that a patient care assistant who works in the Non-Emergency Ambulance Transfer Service (NEATS) section was preliminarily confirmed with COVID-19 infection.
      
     The staff member attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Yan Chai Hospital due to headache and fatigue on August 22. Her COVID-19 test result was preliminarily positive on August 24 and has been admitted to the community treatment facility at AsiaWorld-Expo for treatment under isolation with stable condition. Her last working day was on August 21.
      
     The patient care assistant is responsible for assisting point-to-point patient transfer service for admissions, inter-hospital transfers, discharges from hospitals and attending Specialist-outpatient follow-up appointments. She has not come into contact with any suspected and confirmed COVID-19 cases. Also, all patients must have temperature check before boarding the vehicles and wear surgical masks.
      
     The hospital's infection control team conducted contact tracing immediately. As the staff member concerned has worn appropriate protective personal equipment during her duty, no patients have been classified as close contacts so far; while three colleagues who had meals with the staff member separately are classified as close contacts and need to be quarantined for 14 days.
      
     Besides the above staff member, an operation assistant who works in the Accident and Emergency Department (A&E) of PMH attended the A&E of PMH due to fever on August 22. Her COVID-19 test result was preliminarily positive on August 24 and has been admitted to community treatment facility at AsiaWorld-Expo for treatment under isolation with stable condition. The operation assistant is responsible for transporting patients to the wards. She has transported a confirmed COVID-19 case in the past 14 days but has not involved in any clinical care and high-risk medical procedures.
       
     The hospital's infection control team conducted contact tracing. The concerned staff has worn appropriate protective personal equipment. No patients are classified as close contacts. Two colleagues who had meals with the operation assistant separately are classified as close contacts and need to be quarantined for 14 days.
      
     The hospital will provide all necessary assistance to the department staff, and has already cleansed and disinfected the workplace and the vehicle used by the staff concerned. The hospital will maintain close communication with the frontline staff, and will continue to closely monitor the health of our staff and patients and communicate with the Centre for Health Protection about the latest situation.

     The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Dr Law Chi-kwong, visited the specimen collection centre at Harbour Road Sports Centre this afternoon (August 25) to learn more about the specimen collection process of the free COVID-19 testing service for foreign domestic helpers (FDHs).

     "I strongly encourage FDHs staying in boarding facilities to actively participate in the free test to safeguard their health, especially before they join their new employers' family. Employers are advised to check that their new FDHs have a valid negative test result before joining the family. Also, employment agencies are encouraged to help FDHs register for and take the test at the specimen collection centre," Dr Law said.

     As announced by the Labour Department on August 23, a COVID-19 testing service was launched for FDHs whose previous employment contracts have expired or terminated and who are waiting to join the new employers' family. The test is voluntary and free of charge.

     FDHs are eligible for the free combined nasal and throat swab testing service if their previous employment contracts have expired or terminated and they are waiting to join the new employers' family at the time of making the appointment for the testing service. Eligible FDHs are required to make a prior appointment by telephone and provide their specimens at a specified time slot at Harbour Road Sports Centre. As at noon today, 239 FDHs have made an appointment for taking the test.

     Eligible FDHs may dial the registration hotline 1836 133 (9am to 9pm daily) to make an appointment for specimen collection. Same-day appointment will not be offered by the registration hotline and any request without prior appointment will not be accepted. The specimen collection centre is located at Harbour Road Sports Centre, 27 Harbour Road, Wan Chai. It is open daily from 8.30am to 8pm and will operate until September 30.

      

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for Hong Kong Children's Hospital (HKCH) made an announcement today (August 25) on a patient tested preliminarily positive to COVID-19:
      
     A 19-month-old boy was admitted to HKCH yesterday (August 24) afternoon for an essential elective surgery. Health declaration was made upon admission and he did not present with fever or respiratory symptoms. Nasopharyngeal swab test was performed as a screening measure. The result released last night was preliminarily positive to COVID-19. The patient and his accompanying mother were immediately put in an isolation room of HKCH, and then transferred to Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) this morning for isolation.
      
     Subsequent blood tests were arranged for the confirmed patient and his mother by HKCH and QEH respectively. The results released today showed the presence of antibodies. They met the discharge criteria and have been discharged directly from QEH.
      
     The hospital's infection control team has immediately conducted contact tracing upon learning the preliminary positive result. It is found that two patients have stayed in the same cubicle as the confirmed patient, and their four parents have visited that cubicle on compassionate ground. With the presence of antibodies in the blood specimens of the mother and the boy, they should have acquired infection from the community earlier and have recovered. Upon discussion with the Centre for Health Protection (CHP), it was agreed that there is no risk of transmission to others. Therefore, the other patients and parents in the cubicle concerned are not classified as close contacts.
      
     Staff in the ward concerned were equipped with appropriate personal protective equipment in accordance with the infection control guidelines. None of them are classified as close contacts.
      
     Thorough cleansing and disinfection have been conducted in the ward areas which the confirmed patient had stayed. The hospital will continue to closely monitor the health condition of the patients and staff concerned, while maintaining close communication with the CHP.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health has announced that as of 0.00am, August 25, the CHP was investigating 19 additional confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), taking the number of cases to 4 711 in Hong Kong so far (comprising 4 710 confirmed cases and one probable case).

     Among the newly reported cases announced, three 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.