The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for the Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital (PYNEH) made the following update today (August 8) regarding an earlier announcement of a confirmed case of COVID-19 infection in an Integrated Medical & Geriatric Ward:
 
     PYNEH continued to follow up on the patients stayed in the concerned ward. All inpatients were tested negative for COVID-19 on initial screening on August 5. Upon scheduled retesting to the patients stayed in the concerned ward on August 8, the latest result shows three male inpatients, including a 70-year-old and a 78-year-old, who were both classified as close contacts and had been transferred to isolation ward on August 5, and another 64-year-old who stayed in a different cubicle of the same ward, were tested preliminarily positive for COVID-19. All three patients are in stable condition and under isolation treatment now. The connection between these COVID-19 cases is under investigation.
 
     Patient admission and discharge of the concerned ward will remain suspended. The hospital would continue to closely monitor the health condition of other patients and maintain communication with the Centre for Health Protection about the latest situation.

The following is issued on behalf of the Executive Council Secretariat:
 
     The Non-official Members of the Executive Council (ExCo) today (August 8) issued the following statement:

     The ExCo Non-official Members note that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government has issued a statement in response to the so-called "sanctions" by the United States (US) Government against 11 officials of the Central People's Government and the HKSAR Government. They unanimously agree with the statement. The US Government's claim that the imposition of the so-called "sanctions" is in response to the enactment of the National Security Law in Hong Kong is unsubstantiated and sweeping. They express regret over the US Government's act which has undermined the relation between Hong Kong and the US.

    The ExCo Non-official Members stress that the National Security Law in Hong Kong has established and improved the legal system and enforcement mechanisms for HKSAR in safeguarding national security and is conducive to the continued success of "One Country, Two Systems" in Hong Kong as well as the long-term prosperity and stability of our city. The ExCo Non-official Members said that they would continue to offer their staunch support to the Chief Executive in leading her team to govern and serve the public.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) has announced that as of 0.00am, August 8, the CHP was investigating 69 additional confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), taking the number of cases to 4 008 in Hong Kong so far (comprising 4 007 confirmed cases and one probable case).
    
     Among the newly reported cases announced, two had 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 infection, 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.

     â€‹The Transport Department (TD) today (August 8) learned that an officer was notified to have been preliminarily tested positive for COVID-19.

     The officer concerned is a clerical grade officer performing non-counter duties at the Kwun Tong Licensing Office. She last performed duties on August 6 and was subsequently notified of the preliminary positive result early this morning by the Centre for Health Protection (CHP). The officer received a COVID-19 test after one of her family members was confirmed to have contracted the virus and found that she was preliminarily tested positive. The officer's body temperature was normal before commencing duty and she wore mask and followed relevant disease prevention measures at work. Currently, the CHP is trying to find out from the officer concerned and the TD whether she has been in close contact with other people. The TD will proactively co-operate with the CHP's quarantine work.

     In consideration of public health and hygiene, and according to guidelines of the CHP, the TD has instantly arranged thorough cleaning and disinfection at the Kwun Tong Licensing Office which will be carried out today and tomorrow (‪August 9‬). The office will continue to operate ‪next Monday‬ to provide counter services for applications submitted by applicants with online appointments and process applications submitted by drop-in boxes and by post.

     During the outbreak of COVID-19, the TD has been strictly implementing various disease prevention measures. Members of the public entering the TD's licensing offices have to undergo on-the-spot body temperature checks arranged by the TD. Any member of the public whose body temperature is higher than 37.5 degrees Celsius or who refuses to undergo a body temperature check will be denied entry into the licensing offices. The offices will also strictly request members of the public to clean their hands with alcohol-based sanitiser before entering the licensing offices and wear masks at all times in the offices. To reduce the risk of the spread of virus, the licensing offices will also strengthen the cleansing of public facilities and implement crowd control measures.

     The TD will continue to maintain close liaison with the CHP and has also reminded staff to pay attention to personal hygiene and stay vigilant. If feeling unwell, staff are reminded to seek medical advice and inform the TD as soon as possible.

     For enquiries on licensing matters, members of the public can contact the relevant offices at the following numbers:

Hong Kong Licensing Office    ‪2804 2636‬
Kowloon Licensing Office        ‪2150 7728‬
Kwun Tong Licensing Office    ‪2775 6835‬
Sha Tin Licensing Office         2606 1468‬

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     As at 9am today (August 8), 151 COVID-19 confirmed patients were discharged from hospital. 16 hospitalised patients were previously recorded as discharged by the system.  So far, a total of 2 755 patients with confirmed or probable infection have been discharged after the adjustment.
 
     At present, there are 681 negative pressure rooms in public hospitals with 1 245 negative pressure beds activated. A total of 1 068 confirmed patients are currently hospitalised in 19 public hospitals and a community isolation facility, among which 45 patients are in critical condition, 51 are in serious condition and the remaining 972 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: