A man who went missing in Kwai Chung has been located.

     Thian I-Sun, aged 80, went missing after he left his residence in Kwai Shing West Estate yesterday (August 18). His family made a report to Police on the same day.

     The man was located on Ho Pui Street, Tsuen Wan today (August 19).
     

     In response to media enquiries, a Government spokesman said today (August 19) that amongst some 14 000 applications received under the Subsidy Scheme for Beauty Parlours, Massage Establishments and Party Rooms (the Scheme) under the second round of the Anti-epidemic Fund, over 12 000 applicants have been notified of their vetting results. Over 11 000 applications have been approved so far, involving about $560 million in subsidies.

     The Government is now processing some 2 000 remaining applications involving relatively complicated situations, such as chain operators supplementing or amending information after submission of applications, and the need to verify the bank account information for subsidy transfer in some cases. Depending on the follow-up progress of these cases, it is expected that the vetting work of the Scheme can be largely completed within this month.

     In addition, the secretariat has already referred individual suspected cases of fraud to the Police Force for follow-up as appropriate.

     Applicants may check the processing progress of their applications online at enquiry.bmpsubsidy.gov.hk. For other enquiries, applicants may call the telephone hotline (1836 188) during office hours (Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm, except public holidays) or send an email to enquiry@bmpsubsidy.hk.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health has announced that as of 0.00am, August 19, the CHP was investigating 26 additional confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), taking the number of cases to 4 587 in Hong Kong so far (comprising 4 586 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 infections 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 following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     The 25th Executives' Meeting of East Asia-Pacific Central Banks (EMEAP) (Note 1) Governors' Meeting held its first session via video conference today (August 19). During the meeting, Governors exchanged views on recent developments in the regional economy and financial systems amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and reviewed the work of EMEAP in the past year.
 
     Joining the meeting were Governors of EMEAP member central banks, as well as senior representatives from the International Monetary Fund and the Bank for International Settlements. The meeting was hosted by the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, Mr Eddie Yue, as this year's Chair of EMEAP Governors' Meeting. 
 
     Member central banks noted that the various policy responses by central banks in the region (and globally) have helped alleviate the economic fallout and financial market stresses stemming from the pandemic. Proactive communication between central banks and the various stakeholders, including public and industry players, have also helped ensure smooth implementation of these policy responses. The Meeting also exchanged views on how policy responses could be calibrated going forward, amid the high uncertainties surrounding the pandemic development and global economy and taking into account the sustainability of such policies.
 
     Member central banks have been in frequent dialogues throughout the financial market stresses this year. Members recognised that the impact of the pandemic on the economy and financial markets has brought with it substantial policy challenges. Members have responded with decisive policy action, which in some cases involved fundamental change to the way they pursue their mandates. Governors reaffirmed the importance of EMEAP as an effective platform for policy dialogues, strengthening regional co-operation, and providing a regional perspective that informs and facilitates discussions at global forums during the current challenging time.
 
     During the meeting, Governors reviewed the reports of recent EMEAP work. They welcomed the progress of EMEAP projects on banking supervision and resolution, financial markets, payments and market infrastructure, and information technology. Governors also discussed updates by the Monetary and Financial Stability Committee on its market surveillance and research activities.
 
     Governors also endorsed the publication of the report on Study on US dollar Liquidity and Funding Dynamics in the EMEAP Region. The report highlights members' observations on the shifting dynamics of the US dollar in regional financing activities over the years, and its impact on regional financial stability.
 
     Governors agreed to hold a second session of the 25th EMEAP Governors' Meeting in November 2020.

Note 1: EMEAP is a co-operative forum of the following eleven central banks and monetary authorities in the East Asia and Pacific region: Reserve Bank of Australia, People's Bank of China, Hong Kong Monetary Authority, Bank Indonesia, Bank of Japan, Bank of Korea, Bank Negara Malaysia, Reserve Bank of New Zealand, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Monetary Authority of Singapore and Bank of Thailand.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     As at 9am today (August 19), 102 COVID-19 confirmed patients were discharged from hospital in the last 24 hours. So far, a total of 3 779 patients with confirmed or probable infection have been discharged.
      
     At present, there are 690 negative pressure rooms in public hospitals with 1 251 negative pressure beds activated. A total of 683 confirmed patients are currently hospitalised in 19 public hospitals, a community isolation facility and a community treatment facility, among which 29 patients are in critical condition, 38 are in serious condition and the remaining 616 patients are in stable condition.
      
     The Hospital Authority will maintain close contact with the Centre for Health Protection to monitor the latest developments and to inform the public and healthcare workers on the latest information in a timely manner. 
      
     Details of the above-mentioned patients are as follows: