Free COVID-19 testing service continues to be arranged for frontline property management (PM) workers (including security and cleansing workers) under the "Community Testing of COVID-19 for Frontline Property Management Workers" (CTPM) launched by the Home Affairs Department (HAD).

     To safeguard the health of frontline PM workers and the public, and to facilitate the PM sector in joining the CTPM, other than the Hong Kong Association of Property Management Companies (HKAPMC), HAD has also collaborated with the Hong Kong Services Trade Alliance (HKSTA), with logistic supports provided by the Community Emergency Aid Team, to extend the reach of the CTPM.

     The target beneficiaries of the CTPM are the around 100 000 frontline PM workers serving private residential, commercial, industrial and composite buildings, etc. and more than 60 000 frontline PM workers serving buildings under different Government departments, the Hong Kong Housing Authority and the Hong Kong Housing Society.  As of today (August 1), around 42 000 sample containers have been distributed to frontline PM workers and over 12 500 samples have been collected for testing, of which over 11 500 tests have been completed under the CTPM.

     To make good use of the testing capacity, we will determine the priority of testing by adopting a risk-based approach, the manpower resources available and the geographical distribution of PM workers.  Since PM companies should have ready access to relevant particulars of their frontline PM workers, to expedite the conduct of the testing, we will first make co-ordinate, through HKAPMC and HKSTA, the PM companies for arranging their frontline PM workers to participate in the CTPM.  We will also contact the PM service contractors engaged by various government departments, the Hong Kong Housing Authority and the Hong Kong Housing Society later on the details of the testing services.

     For enquiries about the CTPM, the PM companies may call 2186 6101 (HKAPMC) or contact 6798 1885/6798 1886/6798 1887 through Whatsapp (HKSTA).

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokespersons for the Queen Mary Hospital (QMH) and Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital (PYNEH) announced today (August 1) that two patients confirmed with COVID-19 passed away.

     The 86-year-old male patient (case number: 1473) in QMH with chronic disease was admitted on July 11 due to COVID-19 and pneumonia. The patient eventually succumbed at 9.50am today.

     Another 79-year-old female patient (case number: 3201) in PYNEH with chronic disease was admitted on July 29 due to fever and shortness of breath. Patient’s condition continued to deteriorate and succumbed at 2.31pm today.

     The Hospitals were saddened about the passing away of the patients and would offer necessary assistance to the families.

     Including the above cases, 31 COVID-19 confirmed patients have passed away in public hospitals so far.

     The Education Bureau (EDB) announced today (August 1) the appointment of the Hong Kong Institute of Bankers (HKIB) as an assessment agency for issuing professional qualifications for the banking industry under the Hong Kong Qualifications Framework (HKQF).
      
     A spokesman for the EDB said, "The appointment enhances the development of vocational and professional education and training in the banking industry in Hong Kong. The HKQF-recognised professional qualifications issued by the HKIB promote recognition of skill-based competence and qualifications for the banking industry and provide learners with quality-assured vocational pathways under the HKQF. The qualifications also facilitate the professional development of banking practitioners, which is conducive to maintaining the competitiveness of Hong Kong as an international financial centre."
      
     "The HKIB has successfully completed the accreditation by the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications and has been appointed by the Secretary for Education as an assessment agency for issuing nine types of professional qualifications, namely, Associate Anti-Money Laundering Professional, Certified Anti-Money Laundering Professional, Associate Retail Wealth Professional, Certified Retail Wealth Professional, Associate Cybersecurity Professional, Associate Credit Risk Management Professional, Certified Credit Risk Management Professional (Commercial Lending), Certified Credit Risk Management Professional (Credit Portfolio Management), and Certified Banker, for a term of five years with effect from today. These qualifications are recognised under the HKQF, ranging from HKQF levels 4 to 6," the spokesman added.
      
     The EDB launched the initiative for recognition of professional qualifications under the HKQF in 2018 to widen the scope of the HKQF. Professional qualifications recognised under the HKQF refer to qualifications granted by bona fide local organisations and underpinned by requisite academic qualifications, prescribed years of industry or professional experience, and robust assessments. Eligible organisations including professional and regulatory bodies may apply to become assessment agencies for issuing professional qualifications under the HKQF. The Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Marine Department were appointed as assessment agencies in 2018 for issuing professional qualifications under the HKQF in their respective domains.
      
     For more information about professional qualifications recognised under the HKQF, please visit the HKQF website: www.hkqf.gov.hk.

     In view of the severity of the local COVID-19 epidemic situation, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) announced today (August 1) that all recreation and sports programmes to be held in September have been cancelled. Processing and acceptance of programme applications are also suspended. The LCSD will arrange refunds for affected participants of paid activities. All activities of Hong Kong Public Libraries in August and September will also be cancelled. Please visit the Online Resources Centre of the LCSD to view the online reading and library activities.
 
     The LCSD will continue to monitor the situation closely and review the arrangements in a timely manner.

     The Environmental Protection Department today (August 1) learnt that an Environmental Protection Inspector has tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
      
     The officer works on the fifth floor of Nan Fung Commercial Centre in Kowloon Bay. He is mainly responsible for investigating complaints outdoors and writing reports in the office which is not open to the public. His family member was confirmed as having COVID-19 on July 27, so he was arranged to undergo test for the virus and was notified by the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) last night the positive test result.
        
     The officer has no recent travel history. He had been wearing facial masks when performing duties indoors and outdoors. He last performed duties in the office on July 16. 
      
     The workplace of the officer concerned, including the common areas, has been fully cleaned and sterilised in accordance with the guidelines of the CHP.
      
     During the pandemic, the department has been strictly implementing various disease prevention measures, including measuring the body temperature of people entering the office, providing facial masks and other personal protective equipment for staff, and requesting staff to wear facial masks when in contact with others and at public places. Cleaning and sterilising measures for the working environment of the department have also been stepped up.
      
     The department will continue to maintain close liaison with the CHP. Staff have been reminded to pay attention to personal hygiene and to stay vigilant. They should seek medical advice and inform the department as soon as possible if feeling unwell.