The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for the Castle Peak Hospital (CPH) made the following announcement today (August 4) on a clerical staff tested preliminarily positive to COVID-19:
 
     A female clerical staff of shroff counter at CPH sought medical treatment at a staff clinic yesterday (August 3) due to throat discomfort. Her deep throat saliva test result released this afternoon was preliminarily positive to COVID-19 while confirmatory test is still pending. She had been working mainly at shroff counter on G/F of Block D. She had been wearing surgical mask during her duty and her last working date was July 31.
 
     Infection Control Team (ICT) of CPH is working closely with the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) for investigation upon the preliminary test result this afternoon. On site assessment by ICT noted that there are partitions between staff members and the public for each shroff counter. There is no direct contact between staff members and the public.
 
     CPH will suspend the service of the shroff concerned on G/F of Block D tomorrow (August 5). During the suspension period, patients can approach the shroff on G/F of Block C for enquiries and necessary follow up. CPH will conduct thorough cleansing and disinfection of the shroff tonight and tomorrow. The hospital will continue to provide assistance to staff members of the department and will closely monitor health condition of staff members concerned while maintaining close liaison with the CHP.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) has announced that as of 0.00am, August 4, the CHP was investigating 80 additional confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), taking the number of cases to 3 670 in Hong Kong so far (comprising 3 669 confirmed cases and one probable case).

     Among the newly reported cases announced, five 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 every day 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.

     The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (August 4) announced that in view of recent cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) found to be related to Hung Hom Market and To Kwa Wan Market, for prudence's sake, the two markets will suspend operation for two days from August 5 to 6, pending for test results of the environmental swabs taken at the markets during inspection. The FEHD will thoroughly clean and disinfect the two markets during the suspension period to assure market stall tenants and the public that their health and safety are being safeguarded.
      
     The Government today invited the Chair Professor of the Department of Microbiology, the University of Hong Kong, Professor Yuen Kwok-yung, to go to Hung Hom Market and To Kwa Wan Market to carry out inspection and offer advice on anti-epidemic measures. Environmental swabs were taken at the two markets for testing. As the testing work takes time to complete, for prudence's sake, the two markets will suspend operation for two days pending for the test results.

     The FEHD attaches importance to the hygiene conditions of public markets. In view of the developments of the epidemic, the FEHD has continued to enhance anti-epidemic measures and carry out cleaning and disinfection work in its markets. In addition to regular cleaning work in the daytime, market service contractors also conduct thorough cleaning in all markets after the markets are closed every day. Over the past few weeks, some 20 markets in various districts have been arranged to close an hour earlier progressively for additional deep cleaning and disinfection as a precautionary measure.
      
     Moreover, since late July, the FEHD has progressively arranged a voluntary one-off free COVID-19 testing service for staff of market stalls and personnel working in markets. No online registration is required. The FEHD is in close liaison with the Centre for Health Protection and has been distributing specimen bottles to markets with confirmed cases involving operators of market stalls or personnel working therein since the implementation of the scheme. The testing agency had distributed specimen bottles to operators of market stalls or personnel working in Hung Hom Market and To Kwa Wan Market on July 31 and August 1 respectively, and will strive to complete the testing work as soon as possible. 
      
     A spokesman for the FEHD strongly appealed to market stall tenants to actively participate in the testing scheme, continue to comply with the Government's regulation to wear masks in markets, and maintain personal and environmental hygiene continuously. The FEHD will continue to closely monitor the situation of each market, and will strive to enhance anti-epidemic measures for its markets, as well as to conduct deep cleaning and disinfection work in other markets if necessary continuously so as to maintain environmental hygiene.

  

     With regard to media enquiries on the COVID-19 confirmed case of a postman working for Wan Chai Delivery Office yesterday (August 3) and the service arrangements for Wan Chai District, Hongkong Post gave the following response today (August 4):
      
     Upon the latest advice of the Centre for Health Protection (CHP), Wan Chai Delivery Office and the adjacent Wan Chai Post Office will be closed through August 15 for thorough cleaning and sterilisation. We are rendering our full support to the CHP for its investigation and tracing effort. Ten of our staff are identified as close contacts. In addition, a total of 200 staff from Wan Chai Delivery Office and Wan Chai Post Office will undergo COVID-19 testing. While awaiting for the test result of the Department of Health, the staff concerned will rest at home.
      
     Hongkong Post has instantly activated our contingency arrangements and redeployed internal resources to maintain the current delivery service provided on alternate day in the District, so as to minimise the impact on the public. However, part of our delivery service during this period may still be subject to delay. We apologise for the inconvenience caused. Owing to the temporary closure of Wan Chai Post Office, members of the public can get access to our postal services by using the post offices in the vicinity, including Hennessy Road Post Office, Gloucester Road Post Office or Morrison Hill Post Office.
      
     For any enquiry on the adjustment to the delivery service arrangements mentioned above, please call the Mail Distribution Division's hotline at 2723 3454 during office hours.
      
     Hongkong Post has always attached great attention to the occupational health and safety of our staff. During the epidemic, we have been strictly implementing various precautionary measures, including checking body temperature for all staff and providing them with protective gears such as masks, alcohol-based handrub, gloves and alcohol swabs, requiring them to wear masks when performing duties, and stepping up the cleaning of our working environment.
      
     Hongkong Post will continue to maintain close liaison with the CHP. Staff are also reminded to pay attention to personal hygiene and stay vigilant all the time. In case of feeling unwell, they should seek medical advice immediately.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for the Tuen Mun Hospital (TMH) announced today (August 4) that a 82-year-old male patient confirmed with COVID-19 infection (case number: 2942) passed away today. 
 
     The patient with chronic disease was admitted to the TMH on July 28 due to fever. His condition continued to deteriorate and eventually succumbed at 8.26pm today. 
 
     The Hospital was saddened about the passing away of the patient and would offer necessary assistance to his family. 
 
     Including the above case, 42 COVID-19 confirmed patients have passed away in public hospitals so far.