The Sha Tin District Office yesterday (July 24) was notified by the Centre for Health Protection that a man, who was tested positive for COVID-19 on July 20, had visited Lung Hang Estate Community Centre in Lung Hang Estate during the incubation period. The temporary night heat shelter located at Lung Hang Estate Community Centre has been closed immediately for full disinfection and cleaning today (July 25).

     To align with the social distancing measures of the Government, Lung Hang Estate Community Centre has been closed during daytime since July 15, yet the temporary night heat shelter inside the Centre was still opened during this period.

     After the full closure of Lung Hang Estate Community Centre, the temporary night heat shelter for Sha Tin District would be relocated to Hin Keng Neighbourhood Community Centre (Address: No. 5, Hin Wo Lane, Sha Tin) until further notice.
 

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) has announced that as of 0.00am, July 24, the CHP was investigating 123 additional confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), taking the number of cases to 2 373 in Hong Kong so far (comprising 2 372 confirmed cases and one probable case).
      
     Among the newly reported cases announced, eight had travel history during the incubation period.

     As for the local cases, as some cases involved residents and staff of the Salvation Army Lung Hang Residence for Senior Citizens in Sha Tin, all residents of the residential care home for the elderly (RCHE) were identified as close contacts and will need to be quarantined. Noting that residents of the RCHE might have special care needs, the DH staff has conducted a site visit with personnel from the Hospital Authority to determine if the environment of the RCHE is suitable for on-site quarantine of residents.
 
     As the RCHE is considered by the DH not suitable for quarantine of residents upon inspection, the Government has activated the Cheung Muk Tau Holiday Centre for the Elderly in Sai Kung as a quarantine centre for residents of the RCHE who are close contacts of confirmed cases and are bedridden or requiring special care during the quarantine period. The staff of the concerned agency will attend to the needs of residents admitted to this quarantine centre.

     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.

     Create Hong Kong (CreateHK) under the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau today (July 24) learnt that a Clerical and Secretarial Grades staff tested preliminarily positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

     The officer is mainly responsible for providing supporting services on the 40th floor of Revenue Tower in Wan Chai. The floor concerned is not a public floor. She last performed duties on July 20.

     The officer has no recent travel history. She has been wearing facial masks when performing duties, her body temperature was normal and she has followed relevant disease prevention measures at work. The workplace of the officer concerned, including the common areas, has been fully cleaned and sterilised in accordance with the guidelines of the Centre for Health Protection (CHP).

     During the pandemic, CreateHK 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.

     CreateHK will continue to maintain close liaison with the CHP. It has also reminded its staff to pay attention to personal hygiene and stay vigilant. Staff have been reminded to seek medical advice and inform the department as soon as possible if feeling unwell.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
     
     In response to media enquiries regarding a Legionella infection case, the spokesperson for Siu Lam Hospital (SLH) has the following reply today (July 24):
      
     A 70-year-old male patient who had stayed in a ward for severe intellectual disability at SLH was confirmed with Legionnaires' Disease. The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) visited the concerned ward and collected water samples today. The source of infection for the patient is still undergoing investigation. The patient has been transferred to Tuen Mun Hospital for treatment and is in stable condition.
          
     The hospital has already implemented a series of precautionary and infection control improvement measures, including:
      
     1. Suspending the use of related basin faucets;
     2. Installing bacterial filters on basin faucets and shower heads;
     3. Arranging cleansing and disinfection at water tanks; and
     4. After communicating with the CHP, the hospital will continue to implement clinical surveillance for all patients in the ward.
      
     The case has been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office according to established guidelines. In addition to the above precautionary and improvement measures, the hospital has reminded all healthcare staff to be vigilant and continue to closely monitor the situation of the ward. The hospital will co-operate with the CHP in the investigation of the source of infection.

　　The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (July 24) investigating a case of Legionnaires' disease (LD) in Siu Lam Hospital (SLH), and stressed the importance of using and maintaining properly designed man-made water systems, and that susceptible groups should strictly observe relevant precautions.
　　 
　　The male patient, aged 70 with underlying illness and stayed in SLH, developed fever on July 20. He was admitted to Tuen Mun Hospital on the same day for further management. His clinical diagnosis was pneumonia. He is currently in stable condition.
　　 
　　His sputum specimen was tested positive for Legionella species upon laboratory testing.
　　 
　　"Epidemiological investigations with SLH are ongoing to identify potential sources of infection, high-risk exposure and clusters, if any. Relevant water samples and environmental swabs have been collected from potential sources for laboratory testing," a spokesman for the CHP said.
　　 
　　Tracing of contacts including staff and in-patients in ward is ongoing and those identified have been put under medical surveillance. The CHP has provided health advice against LD to staff and in-patients, including those with weakened immunity who should use sterile or boiled water for drinking, tooth brushing and mouth rinsing. Investigation is ongoing.
　　 
　　Legionellae are found in various environmental settings and grow well in warm water (20 to 45 degrees Celsius). They can be found in aqueous environments such as water tanks, hot and cold water systems, cooling towers, whirlpools and spas, water fountains and home apparatus which support breathing. People may become infected when they breathe in contaminated droplets (aerosols) and mist generated by artificial water systems, or when handling garden soil, compost and potting mixes.
　　 
　　Immunocompromised persons should:

     •Use sterile or boiled water for drinking, tooth brushing and mouth rinsing;
     •Avoid using humidifiers, or other mist- or aerosol-generating devices. A shower may also generate small aerosols; and
     •If using humidifiers, or other mist- or aerosol-generating devices, fill the water tank with only sterile or cooled freshly boiled water, and not water directly from the tap. Also, clean and maintain humidifiers/devices regularly according to manufacturers' instructions. Never leave stagnant water in a humidifier/device. Empty the water tank, wipe all surfaces dry, and change the water daily.
　　 
　　The public should observe the health advice below:

     •Observe personal hygiene;
     •Do not smoke and avoid alcohol consumption;
     •Strainers in water taps and shower heads should be inspected, cleaned, descaled and disinfected regularly or at a frequency recommended by the manufacturer;
     •If a fresh-water plumbing system is properly maintained, it is not necessary to install domestic water filters. Use of water filters is not encouraged as clogging occurs easily, which can promote growth of micro-organisms. In case water filters are used, the pore size should be 0.2 micrometres (µm) and the filter needs to be changed periodically according to the manufacturer's recommendations;
     •Drain and clean water tanks of buildings at least quarterly;
     •Drain or purge for at least one minute infrequently used water outlets (e.g. water taps, shower heads and hot water outlets) and stagnant points of the pipework weekly or before use;
     •Seek and follow doctors' professional advice regarding the use and maintenance of home respiratory devices and use only sterile water (not distilled or tap water) to clean and fill the reservoir. Clean and maintain the device regularly according to the manufacturer's instructions. After cleaning/disinfection, rinse the device with sterile water, cooled freshly boiled water or water filtered with 0.2 µm filters. Never leave stagnant water in the device. Empty the water tank, keep all surfaces dry, and change the water daily; and
     •When handling garden soil, compost and potting mixes:
1. Wear gloves and a face mask;
2. Water gardens and compost gently using low pressure;
3. Open composted potting mixes slowly and make sure the opening is directed away from the face;
4. Wet the soil to reduce dust when potting plants; and
5. Avoid working in poorly ventilated places such as enclosed greenhouses.
  
     The public may visit the CHP's LD page, the Code of Practice for Prevention of LD and the Housekeeping Guidelines for Cold and Hot Water Systems for Building Management of the Prevention of LD Committee, and the CHP's risk-based strategy for prevention and control of LD.