The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesman for the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) announced today (August 18) that a 64-year-old female patient confirmed with COVID-19 (case no: 1602) passed away this afternoon.
      
     The patient with chronic diseases was admitted to QEH on June 19 due to her underlying diseases. The ward she was admitted to was later found to have a cluster of COVID-19 cases suspected of nosocomial infection. Her condition deteriorated and eventually succumbed at 5.58pm today.
      
     The hospital was saddened about the passing away of the patient and would offer necessary assistance to his family.

     Including the above case, 71 COVID-19 confirmed patients have passed away in public hospitals so far.

     The Commerce and Economic Development Bureau (CEDB) and the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia in Hong Kong jointly held a webinar entitled Riding Ups and Downs: Hong Kong-Indonesia Partnership today (August 18) to strengthen partnerships in trade, investment, professional services and technology. A major agenda item of the webinar was exploring the business opportunities of the Mainland's overseas Economic and Trade Cooperation Zones (ETCZs) in Indonesia for interested Hong Kong businesses.
 
      The webinar was part of a series of government-to-government collaboration initiatives to explore ways of capturing business opportunities under the new normal and enhancing people-to-people bonds in the context of the COVID-19 outbreak. The CEDB held the first webinar in this series with the Thailand Board of Investment in June 2020.
 
      The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, delivered a welcoming speech at the webinar, and this was followed by responding remarks by the Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of Indonesia, Mr Mahendra Siregar. The Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China (PRC) in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Mr Xie Feng, and the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the PRC to the Republic of Indonesia, Mr Xiao Qian, spoke during the opening session.
 
      Mrs Lam said that with both the Hong Kong and Indonesian governments sparing no effort to combat the epidemic it would be important for economic partners to support each other to enhance resilience and to work together to ride through the storm.
 
      Citing the close economic ties between the two places, and the coming into force last month of the part relating to Indonesia in the Free Trade Agreement and Investment Agreement between Hong Kong and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Mrs Lam said she believed that the digital economy, and innovation and technology in general, will bring fresh opportunities for Hong Kong and Indonesian business co-operation after the epidemic has eased.
 
      Highlighting that digital innovation has helped Hong Kong contain the spread of the virus and, in doing so, minimise community disruption, she said the Hong Kong Government launched in June a business-promotion platform featuring applications for testing, contact tracing, e-health, e-learning, e-commerce, e-communications and other smart innovations, and that these are open for sharing with overseas partners, including those from Indonesia.
 
      Mrs Lam added that Hong Kong has a deep pool of multicultural talent and professionals experienced in working with East and West, and that the ETCZs, which were built for enterprises ranging from processing and manufacturing to trade and logistics, science, technology and more, offer plentiful prospects for collaboration.
 
      Mrs Lam also expressed gratitude to the co-organisers as well as the Ministry of Commerce, the Embassy of the PRC in the Republic of Indonesia and the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC in the HKSAR for their vital support of the webinar.
 
      The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, delivered introductory remarks at the webinar. He noted that economies around the world are facing the common challenge of the epidemic, and that ASEAN economies have demonstrated their resilience and capability to contain the situation and to prepare for prompt recovery from the economic downturn. ASEAN embraces international trade and as a whole is Hong Kong's second largest trading partner. Indonesia, being an important economy in ASEAN, offers a vast market with substantial business opportunities for Hong Kong and the rest of the world. He stressed that Hong Kong is an attractive location for Indonesian companies to expand to the Mainland of China and elsewhere in the Asia-Pacific region, and said he looks forward to even closer collaboration. 
 
      He emphasised that Hong Kong remains a dynamic global financial centre with a high degree of competitiveness and openness. Hong Kong's uniqueness, stemming from, inter-alia, its own social and legal systems including an open and efficient market as well as the free flow of capital, information and talent, plus a simple, low and territorial based tax regime, means the city is and will continue to be one of the best places in the world to do business and a connecting channel between the Mainland of China and the rest of the world. Indonesian investors can establish businesses in Hong Kong to take full advantage of the preferential treatment and most favourable conditions under the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement to tap the business opportunities on the Mainland, especially in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
 
      A panel discussion session entitled "Discovering New Partnership Opportunities" and a presentation on Indonesia's ETCZs also featured in the webinar. Moderated by the Commissioner for Belt and Road, Mr Denis Yip, the panel discussion session was joined by the Chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), Dr Peter Lam; the Chairman of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, Hong Kong (CGCC), Dr Jonathan Choi; the President of the Law Society of Hong Kong, Ms Melissa Pang; the Chairman of the Financial Services Development Council, Mr Laurence Li; the Vice Chairwoman for International Relations of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN), Mrs Shinta Widjaja Kamdani; the President of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong (INACHAMHK), Mr James Hartono; and the President of Bukalapak, Mr Teddy Oetomo. With different areas of expertise, the panellists spoke with the participants on how Hong Kong and Indonesia could work together to explore joint business opportunities amid the ongoing epidemic and beyond.
 
      With more than 900 business leaders and professionals from both Hong Kong and Indonesia registered, the webinar concluded with closing remarks given by Mr Yau and the Consul General of Indonesia in Hong Kong, Mr Ricky Suhendar.
 
      The webinar was co-organised by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Jakarta, the HKTDC, the CGCC, KADIN and INACHAMHK, and supported by the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC in the HKSAR.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) has announced that as of 0.00am, August 18, the CHP was investigating 36 additional confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), taking the number of cases to 4 561 in Hong Kong so far (comprising 4 560 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.

     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (August 18) said that in view of a notice issued by the Shenzhen Headquarters for Prevention and Control of Pneumonia Epidemic Caused by Novel Coronavirus that a surface sample of chicken wings imported from Brazil tested positive for COVID-19 in Shenzhen, the CFS had taken a total of 40 samples of frozen chicken meat from Brazil at import and wholesale levels for testing of the COVID-19 as a precautionary measure. All samples tested negative for the COVID-19.
      
     A spokesman for the CFS said that upon learning of the incident on August 13, the CFS had immediately contacted the relevant authorities in Shenzhen and Brazil to understand the incident, and followed up with major local importers and retailers. An investigation revealed that the batch of chicken wings concerned has not been on sale in Hong Kong so far. For the sake of prudence, the Centre has also temporarily suspended the import licence application for import of poultry meat into Hong Kong from the plant concerned (registration number: SIF601), while waiting for further case investigation and testing details from the relevant authorities.
      
     The spokesman said that according to the World Health Organization and global food safety authorities, there is no evidence indicating that humans can be infected by the COVID-19 via food. The CFS reminded the public to cook food thoroughly and avoid consuming raw or undercooked animal products, as well as to handle raw and cooked food separately, especially when handling raw meat and offal, so as to avoid cross-contamination of food. Members of the public should also maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene at all times. In particular, the public should observe hand hygiene and avoid touching the eyes, ears, mouth or nose after contacting the surfaces of environment and uncooked food.
      
     The spokesman also reminded food handlers that they should always keep their hands clean and frequently clean and disinfect surfaces, especially food contact surfaces in food premises (such as tableware, kitchenware, insulated bags for takeaways, conveyor belts at cashier desks) and frequent-touch points (such as door handles, handles of shopping trolleys and water taps) to ensure environmental hygiene, while social distancing measures should also be adopted. Food handlers should cease engaging in any food handling work and seek medical advice promptly when suffering or suspected to be suffering from an infectious disease or symptoms of illness.
      
     The CFS will continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action in light of the latest development.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for Yan Chai Hospital (YCH) today (August 18) made the following announcement concerning a preliminary positive case of COVID-19 infection:

     A 64-year-old male patient was admitted through the Accident and Emergency Department to the general surgical ward of YCH on August 15 due to low grade fever and upper abdominal pain. The findings of patient's chest x-ray and blood test were normal.

     As the patient had persistent fever, he was transferred to the airborne infection isolation room (AIIR) to test for COVID-19 on August 17. The test result was positive. The patient was then transferred to the isolation ward for treatment and is now in stable condition.

     The hospital's infection control team conducted contact tracing according to prevailing guidelines. Six patients who had stayed in the same cubicle of the surgical ward concerned with the preliminarily confirmed patient were classified as close contacts. Among these patients, four inpatients have been isolated. The hospital has informed the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) for follow up of the remaining two discharged patients.

     All staff members were equipped with appropriate personal protective equipment. None of the staff members is classified as a close contact. As a precautionary measure, seven healthcare workers were classified as other contacts and subject to 28 days of medical surveillance.

     The hospital has arranged thorough cleansing and disinfection of the surgical ward concerned. The hospital will continue to closely monitor the health of staff and patients, and communicate with the CHP about the latest situation.