The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for the United Christian Hospital (UCH) today (August 19) announced that an 86-year-old male COVID-19 confirmed patient (case number: 1767) passed away today.

     The patient was admitted to UCH on July 14 due to fever and was confirmed positive for COVID-19. After treatment, the patient's condition improved and he tested negative for COVID-19. He was released from an isolation order by the Department of Health on July 28. However, the patient developed secondary bacterial pneumonia and continued to stay in hospital for treatment. He was medically unstable and eventually succumbed at 12.08am today.

     The Hospital was saddened about the passing away of the patient and would offer necessary assistance to his family.

     Including the above patient, 72 COVID-19 patients have passed away in public hospitals so far.
 

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     Exchange Fund Notes tender results:
 

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) today (August 19) relaxed the countercyclical macroprudential measures for mortgage loans on non-residential properties. The applicable loan-to-value ratio caps for mortgage loans on non-residential properties are adjusted upward by 10 percentage points, from 40 per cent to 50 per cent for general cases. The adjustment takes effect from August 20, 2020.
 
     The Chief Executive of the HKMA, Mr Eddie Yue, said, "As in other jurisdictions, the COVID-19 outbreak has led to significant pressure on the Hong Kong economy. While the residential property market has remained firm, we have seen major corrections in prices, as well as transaction volumes, of different types of non-residential properties including offices, flatted factories and retail premises. With the pandemic and escalating geopolitical tensions continuing to weigh on business confidence, non-residential property markets are likely to remain under pressure. Taking into account factors such as the price trends of non-residential properties, transaction volumes, economic fundamentals, and the external environment, the HKMA considers it appropriate to adjust the countercyclical macroprudential measures on non-residential properties."

     Mr Yue added that, "The outlook for the Hong Kong economy and the property market remains highly uncertain. The HKMA will continue to monitor developments closely and introduce appropriate measures in response to changes in the property market cycle to safeguard banking stability."

     The HKMA also reiterated in its circular to banks today that its countercyclical macroprudential measures are intended to apply to mortgage loans for the purpose of financing property transactions or the refinancing of existing properties. These measures are not intended to apply to credit facilities secured by properties for the purpose of financing the business operation of corporates, as these facilities are subject to a set of comprehensive credit underwriting standards and regular credit reviews by authorised institutions.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) today (August 19) said that a library staff member has preliminarily tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). 

     The library staff member concerned works at Lam Tin Public Library (LTPL) situated on the fifth and sixth floors of Lam Tin Complex in Kwun Tong District. She last performed duties yesterday (August 18). All facilities of the library have been temporarily closed since July 15. She felt unwell earlier and sought medical advice. She was notified last night that she has preliminarily tested positive for COVID-19. 

     The library staff member concerned has no recent travel history. She has been wearing surgical masks when performing duties. Her body temperature was normal when undergoing temperature screening during work. 

     The LCSD will arrange thorough cleaning and sterilisation at LTPL and the public facilities of Lam Tin Complex according to guidelines provided by the Centre for Health Protection (CHP). 

     The LCSD is highly concerned about the COVID-19 epidemic and will continue to maintain close liaison with the CHP. Staff are reminded to pay attention to personal hygiene and to stay vigilant. They should seek medical advice immediately if feeling unwell.

     The overall Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) caseload in July showed a drop of 789 cases, representing an decrease of 0.3 per cent compared with that of June, according to the latest CSSA caseload statistics released by the Social Welfare Department (SWD) today (August 19).

     The total CSSA caseload at the end of July stood at 225 945 (see attached table), with a total of 321 347 recipients.
 
     Analysed by case nature, low-earnings cases registered a month-to-month decrease of 2.1 per cent to 2 767 cases. Old age cases were down by 0.5 per cent to 133 014 cases. Permanent disability cases remained steady at 17 253 cases.
 
     Unemployment cases fell by 1.3 per cent to 18 364 cases. However, the figure still represented an increase of about 56.5 per cent in comparison with that of July 2019. The number of applications of unemployment cases has fallen 48.6 per cent to 937 cases in July 2020, representing continuous drops since April 2020, i.e. a drop of 45.3 per cent from the peak of 3 957 cases in April 2020 to 2 164 cases in May 2020 and a further drop of 15.8 per cent to 1 823 cases in June 2020.
 
     Ill-health cases increased by 0.7 per cent to 25 401 cases. Single parent cases slightly increased by 0.1 per cent to 24 966 cases. 
 
     Despite the implementation of special work arrangements for government employees, the SWD will continue to process CSSA applications as promptly as possible, a spokesperson for the SWD emphasised.