The Housing Department tonight (August 15) learnt that a principal technical officer has tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). He is staying at hospital for treatment.

     The officer concerned works on the seventh floor of Block 3 at the Hong Kong Housing Authority Headquarters in Ho Man Tin. The floor concerned is not a public floor and is not open to the public. He last performed duties on August 13.

     He has no recent travel history, and has been wearing facial masks when performing duties. He followed relevant disease prevention measures at work. The department will continue to closely co-operate with the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) on disease prevention measures. The workplace of the officer concerned, including the common areas, has been fully cleaned and sterilised in accordance with the guidelines of the CHP.

     During the pandemic, the department has been strictly implementing various disease prevention measures, including measuring the body temperature of people entering the buildings, providing facial masks and other personal protective equipment for staff, and requesting staff to wear facial masks when in contact with others and at public places. Cleaning and sterilising measures for the working environment of the department have also been stepped up.

     The department will continue to maintain close liaison with the CHP and co-operate with its quarantine work. 

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for the United Christian Hospital (UCH) today (August 15) announced that a 90-year-old male COVID-19 confirmed patient (case number: 2804) passed away today.

     The patient, with chronic illness, was admitted to UCH on July 28 due to fever, cough and sore throat, his condition continued to deteriorate and eventually succumbed at 7.08pm today.

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

     Including the above patient, 69 COVID-19 patients have passed away in public hospitals so far.

     The Home Affairs Department (HAD), partnering with the Board of Directors of Yan Chai Hospital (YCHB), launched the Community Testing Programme for COVID-19 for Pregnant Women on August 10 to provide a voluntary one-off free virus testing service for pregnant women. As there are remaining quotas, the HAD announced today (August 15) that the programme is extended for two weeks until August 29 to benefit more pregnant women in need. The service will be centralised and provided in Yan Chai Hospital Multi-Services Complex.
      
     YCHB will centralise the distribution of registration forms and throat swab self-sampling kits to pregnant women (or family members who collect the kits on their behalf) at Yan Chai Hospital Fong Yock Yee Neighbourhood Elderly Centre (Address: G/F, Yan Chai Hospital Multi-Services Complex, 18 Yan Chai Street, Tsuen Wan, New Territories). A certificate of pregnancy from the participant is required to be shown upon collection of the self-sampling kit. The forms and samples for testing must be returned with the certificate for verification on the following day. The testing agency, Sunrise Diagnostic Centre Limited, will issue a report of the test result to each pregnant woman upon request to facilitate their admission to hospital or their delivery arrangements. YCHB will send the report to the participants by mail.
      
     For details on the Testing Programme, please contact YCHB between 9am and 5pm from Monday to Friday (hotline: 6289 4097).

      The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) has announced that as of 0.00am, August 15, the CHP was investigating 46 additional confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), taking the number of cases to 4 407 in Hong Kong so far (comprising 4 406 confirmed cases and one probable case).
     
      Among the newly reported cases announced, seven 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 Hospital Authority:

　　As at 9am today (August 15), 96 COVID-19 confirmed patients were discharged from hospital in the last 24 hours. So far, a total of 3 488 patients with confirmed or probable infection have been discharged.
 
　　At present, there are 685 negative pressure rooms in public hospitals with 1 247 negative pressure beds activated. A total of 779 confirmed patients are currently hospitalised in 20 public hospitals, a community isolation facility and a community treatment facility, among which 27 patients are in critical condition, 46 are in serious condition and the remaining 706 patients are in stable condition.

 ã€€ã€€Besides, the 78-year-old male patient (case number: 2794), admitted to Queen Mary Hospital on July 28 due to COVID-19 infection. His condition continued to deteriorate and he eventually succumbed at 3.16pm today. Including this case, a total of 68 COVID-19 confirmed patients have passed away in public hospitals so far.
 
　　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: