The Transport Department (TD) said today (August 12) that in view of the latest situation of COVID-19, special arrangements will continue to be implemented at the seven government car parks under the management of the TD for the sale of monthly tickets for September to reduce the risk of the virus spread in the community caused by social contact.
     
     The existing holders of a monthly ticket for private car/van, motorcycle or taxi for August can purchase a monthly ticket for the same vehicle type for September with priority. These eligible monthly ticket holders have to complete the procedures for purchasing the monthly ticket for September by 9pm on August 22 at the shroff offices of the car parks concerned. Any such person who fails to purchase the monthly ticket before the above deadline will be regarded as having given up his or her right to purchase the monthly ticket for September. The unsold monthly tickets for private car/van for September will be sold at the shroff offices of the car parks concerned on a first-come, first-served basis from 7.30am on August 23, while the unsold monthly tickets for motorcycle and taxi for September will be sold at the shroff offices from 7.30am on August 24.
     
     The seven government car parks are Star Ferry Car Park, City Hall Car Park, Tin Hau Car Park, Shau Kei Wan Car Park, Aberdeen Car Park, Kwai Fong Car Park and Tsuen Wan Car Park.
     
     The car park operators will put up notices in the car parks in advance to inform motorists of the above special arrangements.
     
     The TD will closely monitor the development of the epidemic situation to determine whether to revert to the sale of monthly tickets on a first-come, first-served basis, or to adopt balloting temporarily for the sale of monthly tickets having regard to the physical conditions and parking situations of the car parks concerned. Car park users are advised to pay attention to the announcements of the TD.

     Owing to the thunderstorm warning, the flag-raising ceremony to be conducted at Golden Bauhinia Square, Wan Chai at 8am today (Aug 12) will be cancelled.

     The Social Welfare Department (SWD) has been informed by The Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions Hong Ling Society that the territory-wide flag-selling activity in public places scheduled to be held today (August 12) has been cancelled, a spokesman for the SWD said.
 
     Details of the charitable fund-raising activities covered by the issued Public Subscription Permit, including any updated information, have been published on the GovHK website (www.gov.hk/en/theme/fundraising/search).

     For enquiries, please contact Mr Kwok of the organisation concerned at 2329 8906.

     Police today (August 11) arrested a man, who is now 30 years old, for murder. He was in suspected connection with a murder case in which an 18-year-old man was killed in Tuen Mun in 2011.

     In the small hours on December 5, 2011, Police received a report that a private car drove to San Sau Street, Tuen Mun, three men alighted the car and assaulted the 18-year-old man with knives. The three culprits were picked up by another private car and fled away. Sustaining injuries on his chest and foot, the victim was sent to Tuen Mun Hospital for treatment and was later certified dead.

     Active investigation by the Regional Crime Unit of New Territories North has been underway. Police arrested 13 men who were in suspected connection with the case from December 2011 to October 2017. Upon seeking legal advice, Police charged a 17-year-old boy with one count of manslaughter in 2011, and he was convicted of manslaughter at High Court in 2013 and was sentenced to six years’ imprisonment. Another 19-year-old man was charged with one count of murder in 2013, and the man was convicted of murder at High Court in 2014 and was sentenced to life imprisonment.

     Police today stopped and searched a suspicious man in North Point and found that he is one of the suspects of the murder case who has absconded for over eight years. The man was then arrested.

     The arrestee is being detained for further enquiries.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     Kwong Wah Hospital (KWH) made an announcement today (August 11) regarding a nurse tested preliminarily positive for COVID-19:
 
     A male nurse of a surgical ward at KWH presented with sore throat, cough, runny nose since August 6. The nurse had provided treatment and care to confirmed COVID-19 male patients and COVID-19 test had been arranged for him subsequently. His test result revealed yesterday (August 10) was preliminarily positive. The nurse is in stable condition and will be admitted for treatment under isolation.
 
     The nurse concerned worked in a male surgical ward. He performed clinical duties and was equipped with appropriate personal protective equipment as well as complying with hand hygiene at work. The nurse did not perform high-risk medical procedures for COVID-19 confirmed patients.  As a precautionary measure, the hospital was reviewing the work schedule of the nurse to determine whether any of the patients should be classified as close contacts or other contacts. Moreover, the result of contact tracing conducted by the hospital's infection control team showed that none of the staff members had been classified as close contacts. At the same time, the hospital was notified that the nurse's spouse was also a staff member of KWH. She was classified as a close contact due to household contact. The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) would follow up on the necessary tests and quarantine arrangements for her.
 
     Professor Yuen Kwok-yung, Chair Professor of the Department of Microbiology, University of Hong Kong and his team had paid a visit to KWH this afternoon. He gave professional advice on further strengthening of infection control measures in wards. Professor Yuen recommended KWH to inspect and test the ventilation system at particular ward cubicles and enhance the ventilation facilities if necessary. Additionally, he reminded patients to wear masks in hospitals at all times and not to talk while eating in order to reduce the risk of infection. Hospital would follow up his recommendations accordingly.

     Admission to the ward affected would continue to be suspended. The hospital would closely monitor the health of staff members and patients, and follow up the case with CHP.
      
     At the same time, a 75-year-old male COVID-19 confirmed case (case number: 4146) passed away today afternoon. The 75-year-old male patient was a close contact of a confirmed case and was admitted to the Hospital on July 22 due to upper respiratory tract infection. He had been tested positive for COVID-19 on August 9. His condition had deteriorated subsequently and he eventually succumbed at 12.46pm today.
      
     The Hospital is saddened about the passing away of the patient and would offer necessary assistance to his family members.
      
     Including the above case, 59 COVID-19 patients have passed away in public hospitals so far.