The Land Registry today (August 4) released its statistics for July 2020.
 
Land registration
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* The number of sale and purchase agreements for all building units received for registration in July was 7,576 (-8.2 per cent compared with June 2020 but +18.7 per cent compared with July 2019)

* The 12-month moving average for July was 5,438 (1.9 per cent above the 12-month moving average for June 2020 but 11.5 per cent below that for July 2019)

* The total consideration for sale and purchase agreements in July was $69.3 billion (-1.4 per cent compared with June 2020 but +28.4 per cent compared with July 2019)

* Among the sale and purchase agreements, 6,133 were for residential units (-12.2 per cent compared with June 2020 but +27.6 per cent compared with July 2019)

* The total consideration for sale and purchase agreements in respect of residential units was $59.5 billion (-8.2 per cent compared with June 2020 but +35.0 per cent compared with July 2019)

     Statistics on sales of residential units do not include sale and purchase agreements relating to sales of units under the Home Ownership Scheme, the Private Sector Participation Scheme and the Tenants Purchase Scheme unless the premium of the unit concerned has been paid after the sale restriction period.

     Figures on sale and purchase agreements received for the past 12 months, the year-on-year rate of change and breakdown figures on residential sales have also been released.

     As deeds may not be lodged with the Land Registry until up to 30 days after the transaction, these statistics generally relate to land transactions in the previous month.
 
Land search
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*  The number of searches of land registers made by the public in July was 467,756 (-2.0 per cent compared with June 2020 but +1.7 per cent compared with July 2019)

     The statistics cover searches made at the counter, through the self-service terminals and via the Integrated Registration Information System Online Services.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for the Prince of Wales Hospital (PWH) today (August 4) announced that an 82-year-old female patient confirmed with COVID-19 infection (case no: 2094) passed away yesterday afternoon.
 
     The patient was transferred to the Accident and Emergency Department on July 19. She presented with fever and her condition was stable. The patient had been deteriorating subsequently and she eventually succumbed at 3.10pm yesterday.
 
     The Hospital was saddened about the passing away of the patient and would offer necessary assistance to her family members.
 
     Including the above case, 40 COVID-19 patients have passed away in public hospitals so far.
 

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesman for Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) announced today (August 4) that an 82-year-old female patient confirmed with COVID-19 infection (case number: 1424) passed away this morning.
 
     The patient with chronic disease was admitted to QEH on July 9 due to fever and cough. Her condition continued to deteriorate and she eventually succumbed at 5.29am today.
 
     The Hospital is saddened about the passing away of the patient and will offer necessary assistance to her family.
 
     Including the above case, 39 COVID-19 confirmed patients have passed away in public hospitals so far.

     Hong Kong Customs yesterday (August 3) seized about 2 830 kilograms of suspected red sandalwood from a container at the Kwai Chung Customhouse Cargo Examination Compound. The estimated market value of the seizure was about $1.8 million.

     Through risk assessment, Customs officers selected and inspected a transshipment container arriving from Korea and destined for the Mainland of China via Hong Kong. Upon inspection, Customs officers found the batch of suspected red sandalwood inside the container.

     The case was handed over to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department for follow-up investigation.

     Under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting an endangered species without a licence is liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for 10 years.

     Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

  

     Hongkong Post yesterday (August 3) said that a postman was tested positive for COVID-19.

     The postman concerned works for Wan Chai Delivery Office and is responsible for the mail delivery of 5-7, 9A, 11, 50, 50A, 50C, 52, 52A, 54 and 56 Tai Hang Road, 3-4, 5, 6, 6A and 11-12 Fuk Kwan Avenue, as well as 2, 3-4, 5-6, 7, 9 A-D, 12E and 15-16 Lee Kwan Avenue. Wan Chai Delivery Office is not open to the public. He last performed duties on August 1. The postman felt unwell this morning and sought medical treatment at a clinic, and was notified of the positive test result this evening. The postman concerned is now under home quarantine, waiting for admission to hospital.

     The postman concerned has no recent travel history. He has been wearing surgical masks when performing duties outdoors and inside the delivery office. His body temperature was normal when undergoing temperature screening during work.

     After noting the situation, Hongkong Post has reported the case to the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) to seek its assistance in tracing and defining his close contacts. Thorough cleaning and sterilisation will be arranged at the workplace concerned and all public facilities according to guidelines provided by the CHP.

     Hongkong Post will send staff to buildings that the postman concerned has visited for delivery and inform their respective management offices about the incident later today. Notices will also be put up in these buildings to notify their residents and commercial tenants. For further enquiry, members of the public may call the Mail Distribution Division's hotline 2723 3454 during office hours.

     Wan Chai Delivery Office and the adjacent Wan Chai Post office will be closed from August 4 to 5 for thorough cleaning and sterilisation. Mail delivery service for the district (including Happy Valley, Wan Chai, Causeway Bay, Tai Hang, and 1-151 and 2-140 Electric Road of North Point) will be suspended during the said period. We apologise for the inconvenience caused.

     â€‹Hongkong Post will continue to maintain close liaison with the CHP. Staff are also reminded to pay attention to personal hygiene and stay vigilant. They should seek medical advice immediately if feeling unwell.