The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     In view of the latest situation of the COVID-19 epidemic, the Legislative Council (LegCo) Secretariat announced today (July 30) that it will continue to arrange staff to work from home, except those who are responsible for maintaining basic operation of the Secretariat and those performing on-site duties.

     In addition, the Secretariat will maintain all the existing epidemic prevention measures. For details, please refer to the announcement on the LegCo Website (www.legco.gov.hk/general/english/sec/corg_ser/whats_on_20200730-e.pdf).

     The Secretariat will review the measures in accordance with the development of the epidemic and make further announcements in due course.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     As at 9am today (July 30), 69 COVID-19 confirmed patients (case numbers: 1312, 1349, 1363, 1409, 1457, 1468, 1509, 1525, 1533, 1549, 1550, 1553, 1555, 1558, 1567, 1570, 1575, 1577, 1580, 1584, 1587, 1601, 1603, 1605, 1613, 1623, 1646, 1669, 1712, 1751, 1762, 1771, 1785, 1791, 1792, 1796, 1852, 1865, 1879, 1889, 1904, 1919, 1922, 1978, 2008, 2018, 2064, 2067, 2080, 2098, 2102, 2111, 2118, 2122, 2146, 2160, 2202, 2219, 2343, 2345, 2378, 2394, 2414, 2446, 2505, 2627, 2710, 2744 and 2879) were discharged from hospital. So far a total of 1 660 patients with confirmed or probable infections have been discharged.
      
     At present, there are 656 negative pressure rooms in public hospitals with 1 236 negative pressure beds activated. A total of 1 168 confirmed patients are currently hospitalised in 16 public hospitals and a community isolation facility, among which 39 patients are in critical condition (case numbers: 595, 1346, 1401, 1424, 1470, 1473, 1483, 1491, 1497, 1498, 1612, 1650, 1679, 1718, 1767, 1777, 1779, 1806, 1835, 1936, 1940, 1955, 1956, 1989, 2048, 2075, 2079, 2086, 2161, 2172, 2208, 2269, 2315, 2458, 2484, 2522, 2705, 2896 and 2942), 32 are in serious condition (case numbers: 1315, 1556, 1687, 1722, 1795, 1805, 1843, 1952, 1998, 2033, 2078, 2133, 2143, 2148, 2246, 2282, 2288, 2313, 2334, 2358, 2362, 2412, 2437, 2452, 2591, 2595, 2657, 2746, 2769, 2789, 2901 and 2940) and the remaining 1 097 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.

     The Home Affairs Bureau (HAB) today (July 30) said that a Project Assistant working at the Community Care Fund Secretariat has tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
 
     The Project Assistant concerned provides clerical services on the 16th floor of Pioneer Centre in Mong Kok. She was not required to have contact with the public at work. The office concerned has been temporarily closed to the public but has maintained services on a limited scale through other modes of service delivery since July 20. She last performed duties on July 23. Since a family member was identified as a confirmed case, she needed to take a COVID-19 test and tested positive for the disease.
 
     The Project Assistant concerned has no recent travel history. She has been wearing surgical masks when performing duties. Her body temperature was normal when undergoing temperature screening during work.
 
     The HAB has carried out thorough cleaning and sterilisation at the floor concerned according to guidelines provided by the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) and will closely co-operate with the CHP on its epidemiological investigations.
 
     The HAB 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.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) announced today (July 30) the extension of the temporary US Dollar Liquidity Facility to March 31, 2021. 

     On March 31, 2020, the United States Federal Reserve (Federal Reserve) announced the establishment of a temporary repurchase agreement facility for foreign and international monetary authorities (FIMA Repo Facility) to help alleviate tightness in the global US dollar interbank money markets amid volatilities and uncertainties in the global financial markets brought about by the spread of COVID-19. In April, the HKMA launched the temporary US Dollar Liquidity Facility using the funds obtained through the FIMA Repo Facility, in order to provide licensed banks with an additional channel to obtain US dollar liquidity. Considering the Federal Reserve's decision last night (July 29, US time) to extend the FIMA Repo Facility to March 31, 2021, the HKMA has decided to extend the temporary US Dollar Liquidity Facility accordingly. While the US dollar funding market in Hong Kong is working smoothly, the Facility will continue to provide a backstop in case there is unexpected market tightness.

     The operational parameters of the temporary US Dollar Liquidity Facility will remain unchanged. A total of US$10 billion is currently available to banks under the Facility in the form of repurchase transactions for a term of seven days through competitive tenders held by the HKMA every week.

     The Labour and Welfare Bureau (LWB) today (July 30) announced that, in light of the further extension of the special work arrangement for government employees until August 9, persons intending to apply for Registration Cards for People with Disabilities can continue to download the application forms from the LWB's website (www.lwb.gov.hk/en/servicedesk/forms). Duly completed application forms with the required documents can be submitted via the LWB's website by e-submission, or posted to Central Registry for Rehabilitation, Labour and Welfare Bureau, Unit 1001, 10/F, THE HUB, 23 Yip Kan Street, Wong Chuk Hang, Hong Kong.

     Enquiries can be sent by email to the LWB (enquiry@lwb.gov.hk).