The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     Caritas Medical Centre (CMC) announced today (August 10) that a nurse has tested preliminarily positive for COVID-19.
 
     A female nurse of the Medicine and Geriatric Department at CMC had an onset of malaise, throat discomfort and a mild dry cough since August 6 as well as a loss of smell and taste since August 8. She attended the Accident and Emergency Department yesterday (August 9) morning with a COVID-19 test arranged. The test result was preliminarily positive. The nurse is currently receiving isolation treatment in CMC with stable condition.
 
     CMC reported the case to the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) and launched epidemiological tracing upon receiving the preliminary test result of the nurse. There are five nurses who have meals together with the preliminarily confirmed nurse being classified as a close contact. The five nurses need to be quarantined for 14 days. Another 82 staff members and 85 patients had been listed as other contacts and are subject to a 28-day medical surveillance. The test results of the five close contact staff, 60 other contact staff and 44 in-patients were negative. Testing for the rest of the inpatients and staff members is in progress. 
 
     The nurse concerned works in a female medical ward. She was required to perform clinical duties and wore appropriate personal protective equipment at work. As a precautionary measure, CMC is carefully reviewing the work schedule of the nurse. An initial investigation indicates that she has not been in contact with a COVID-19 patient over the past two weeks during work. CMC will continue to review her work schedule in detail and follow up on the case with the CHP.
 
     CMC had already arranged a thorough cleaning and disinfection for the concerned ward, pantry and toilets used by the nurse. Admission to the ward concerned has been suspended since yesterday.
 

     A spokesman for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government said today (August 10) that the HKSAR Government fully supports the Central Government's counter-measure against the United States (US) and will facilitate its enforcement.
 
     In response to the so-called "sanctions" introduced unreasonably by the US Government against officials of the Central People's Government and the HKSAR Government days earlier, which represent blatant and barbaric interference in the internal affairs of the People's Republic of China, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today announced sanctions against 11 persons from the US.
 
     "In recent months, the US passed laws and pronounced an executive order targeting the HKSAR under the pretext of human rights, democracy and autonomy, blatantly deviating from international laws and basic norms governing international relations and ignoring the rampant violence in the HKSAR in the past year. Recently, it also smeared the National Security Law which was passed by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress and applied in Hong Kong by promulgation, displaying in full its double standards and hypocrisy and seriously damaging our bilateral relations. The Central Government and the HKSAR Government have repeatedly expressed firm opposition to the acts of the US. The Central Government has also emphasised that it reserved the right to take counter-measures," the spokesman said.
 
     ''The US Government has gone further in recent days by imposing the so-called 'sanctions' against officials of the Central People's Government and the HKSAR Government. The act is shameless and despicable, and is resented by the people of Hong Kong and the whole nation.
 
     "The imposition of sanctions against 11 persons from the US by the Central Government in response to the wrongful act of the US is necessary for safeguarding the interests of our nation. The HKSAR Government fully supports the move and will facilitate its enforcement in accordance with the law.''

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     As at 9am today (August 10), 70 COVID-19 confirmed patients were discharged from hospital. So far, a total of 2 917 patients with confirmed or probable infections have been discharged after the adjustment.
      
     At present, there are 683 negative pressure rooms in public hospitals with 1 245 negative pressure beds activated. A total of 1 052 confirmed patients are currently hospitalised in 19 public hospitals and a community isolation facility, among which 36 patients are in critical condition, 59 are in serious condition and the remaining 957 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:
 

     A 28-year-old man was fined $15,000 by the Eastern Magistrates' Courts today (August 10) for violating the Compulsory Quarantine of Persons Arriving at Hong Kong from Foreign Places Regulation (Cap. 599E).

     The man was earlier issued a compulsory quarantine order stating that he must conduct quarantine at home for 14 days. Before the expiry of the quarantine order, he left the place of quarantine without reasonable excuse nor permission given by an authorised officer on March 25. He was charged with contravening sections 8(1) and 8(5) of the Regulation and was fined $15,000 by the Eastern Magistrates' Courts today. 
 
     Pursuant to the Regulation, starting from March 19, save for exempted persons, all persons arriving from countries or territories outside China would be subject to compulsory quarantine for 14 days. Moreover, pursuant to the Compulsory Quarantine of Certain Persons Arriving at Hong Kong Regulation (Cap. 599C), all persons who have stayed in the Mainland, Macao or Taiwan in the 14 days preceding arrival in Hong Kong, regardless of their nationality or travel documents, will be subject to compulsory quarantine for 14 days. Breaching a quarantine order is a criminal offence and offenders are subject to a maximum fine of $25,000 and imprisonment for six months. The Department of Health (DH) solemnly reminds persons under quarantine to comply with the statutory requirements and conduct quarantine for 14 days.

     A spokesman for the DH said the sentence sends a clear message to the community that breaching the Regulation is a criminal offence and that the Government will not tolerate such actions. As of today, a total of 36 persons have been convicted by the courts for breaching compulsory quarantine orders with imprisonment sentences of up to three months or a fine of $15,000. The spokesman reiterated that resolute actions will be taken against anyone who has breached the Regulation.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) today (August 10) said that an outsourced security guard has tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

     The outsourced security guard concerned worked at the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens in Central and Western District. She last performed duties on August 1. She felt unwell earlier and sought medical treatment, and was notified yesterday (August 9) that she had tested positive for COVID-19. She has been treated under isolation in hospital.

     The security guard concerned has no recent travel history. She wore surgical masks when performing duties, and her body temperature was normal when undergoing temperature screening during work.

     The LCSD will arrange a thorough cleaning and sterilisation at the work areas concerned and all related public facilities 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.