The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     As at noon today (July 24), 28 COVID-19 confirmed patients (case numbers: 1142, 1189, 1200, 1247, 1260, 1268, 1371, 1374, 1389, 1394, 1400, 1402, 1406, 1459, 1465, 1493, 1496, 1539, 1554, 1695, 1714, 1728, 1801, 1837, 1746, 1908, 1960 and 2027) were discharged from hospital in the past 24 hours. So far, a total of 1,407 patients with confirmed or probable infection have been discharged.
      
     At present, there are 649 negative pressure rooms in public hospitals with 1,207 negative pressure beds activated. A total of 779 confirmed patients are currently hospitalised in 14 hospitals, among which 34 patients are in critical condition (case numbers: 595, 1346, 1401, 1424, 1470, 1483, 1485, 1491, 1497, 1498, 1573, 1644, 1650, 1679, 1680, 1710, 1718, 1730, 1767, 1779, 1795, 1805, 1806, 1835, 1940, 1944, 1955, 1956, 2048, 2075, 2079, 2086, 2161 and 2208), 16 are in serious condition (case numbers: 1306, 1315, 1439, 1456, 1468, 1558, 1559, 1630, 1798, 1843, 1901, 1902, 1924, 1936, 1998 and 2147) and the remaining 729 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 following is issued on behalf of the Working Family and Student Financial Assistance Agency:
 
     In light of the Government’s announcement on the extended special work arrangements for government employees and the latest development of the epidemic, the offices of the Working Family and Student Financial Assistance Agency (WFSFAA), including those at the Student Finance Office (SFO) and the Working Family Allowance Office (WFAO), will continue to suspend counter services from July 27 until further notice.  Appointments for counter services and interviews scheduled will also be cancelled.  
 
     Applicants for student finance schemes, the Working Family Allowance Scheme and the Individual-based Work Incentive Transport Subsidy Scheme are encouraged to submit their applications by post, online or through the drop-in boxes at the SFO and the WFAO. Due to the special work arrangements, the processing of applications may take a longer time. The WFAO will exercise discretion in handling the Working Family Allowance applications and Individual-based Work Incentive Transport Subsidy applications received after the application deadline on July 31.
 
     Members of the public may contact the WFSFAA for enquiries through the following channels:

1. Student Finance Office: Email (wg_sfo@wfsfaa.gov.hk); general hotline (2802 2345); cheque payment collection hotline (2150 6220);

2. Working Family Allowance Office:
– Working Family Allowance Scheme and Individual-based Work Incentive Transport Subsidy Scheme: Email (enquiry_wfao@wfsfaa.gov.hk); hotline (2558 3000); and
– Caring and Sharing Scheme: Email (careandshare@wfsfaa.gov.hk); hotline (3897 1088).

     In view of the latest situation of COVID-19 and to align with the special work arrangements for government employees, the Home Affairs Department (HAD) announced today (July 24) its service arrangements from Monday (July 27). Details are listed below.
 
     The Home Affairs Enquiry Centres in 18 districts and the HAD's Estate Beneficiaries Support Unit (EBSU) will continue to be closed. The EBSU's hotline (2835 1535) will operate from 9am to 5pm from Monday to Friday.
 
     The Office of the Licensing Authority will remain closed. All licensing applications in connection with hotels, guesthouses and other premises as well as entertainment can be submitted by post or using e-submission. Application forms and submission details can be found on the webpage of the Office of the Licensing Authority: www.hadla.gov.hk.
 
     All community halls and community centres, except when being used as temporary night heat shelters, will remain closed.
 
     The ​HAD's hotlines for persons under home quarantine will continue to operate from 9am to 8pm on July 27 and 28. From July 29, the operating hours of the hotlines will be shortened to 9am to 6pm.
 
     For other enquiries, please call the HAD's enquiry hotline at 2835 2500 between 9am and 5pm from Monday to Friday.

     The Home Affairs Department will open 19 temporary night heat shelters tonight (July 24) for people in need of the service.

     The shelters will be open from 10.30pm until 8am tomorrow.

     For further information, please call the department's hotline before midnight on 2572 8427.

     The 19 night heat shelters are located at:

Hong Kong Districts:
———————

Central and Western –
Sai Ying Pun Community Complex Community Hall
3/F, Sai Ying Pun Community Complex,
2 High Street, Sai Ying Pun

Eastern –
Causeway Bay Community Centre
3/F, 7 Fook Yum Road, Causeway Bay

Southern –
Lei Tung Community Hall
Lei Tung Estate, Ap Lei Chau

Wan Chai –
Wan Chai Activities Centre
LG/F, Wan Chai Market, 258 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai

Kowloon Districts:
——————

Kowloon City –
Hung Hom Community Hall
1/F, Kowloon City Government Offices,
42 Bailey Street, Hung Hom

Kwun Tong –
Lam Tin (West) Estate Community Centre
71 Kai Tin Road, Lam Tin

Sham Shui Po –
Shek Kip Mei Community Hall
G/F, Block 42, Shek Kip Mei Estate, Sham Shui Po

Wong Tai Sin –
Tsz Wan Shan (South) Estate Community Centre
45 Wan Wah Street, Tsz Wan Shan

Yau Tsim Mong –
Henry G Leong Yaumatei Community Centre
60 Public Square Street, Yau Ma Tei
 
New Territories Districts:
————————–

Islands –
Tung Chung Community Hall
G/F, Tung Chung Municipal Services Building,
39 Man Tung Road, Tung Chung

Kwai Tsing –
Kwai Shing Community Hall
Podium, Block 6, Kwai Shing West Estate, Kwai Chung

North –
Cheung Wah Community Hall
Cheung Wah Estate, Fanling

Sai Kung –
Hang Hau Community Hall
G/F, Sai Kung Tseung Kwan O Government Complex,
38 Pui Shing Road, Hang Hau, Tseung Kwan O

Sha Tin –
Lung Hang Estate Community Centre
Lung Hang Estate, Sha Tin

Tai Po –
Tai Po Community Centre
2 Heung Sze Wui Street, Tai Po

Tsuen Wan –
Lei Muk Shue Community Hall
G/F, Hong Shue House, Lei Muk Shue Estate, Tsuen Wan

Tuen Mun –
Butterfly Bay Community Centre
Butterfly Estate (near Tip Sum House), Tuen Mun

Yuen Long –
Long Ping Community Hall
Long Ping Estate, Yuen Long

Yuen Long –
Tin Yiu Community Centre
Tin Yiu Estate, Tin Shui Wai

     The Home Affairs Department (HAD) is stepping up collaboration with charities to provide food packs for elderly singletons and doubleton households in need living in Kowloon East, as well as distributing anti-epidemic cleaning products to people in need in different districts in Hong Kong through non-governmental organisations.
      
     A spokesperson for the HAD today (July 24) said that, due to the severity of the local epidemic situation, the Chief Executive instructed the HAD earlier on to arrange provision of food packs for elderly singleton and doubleton households in need living in the public housing estates in Kowloon East. As of today, the HAD has distributed over 5 000 food packs to the elderly living in public housing estates with confirmed cases of COVID-19, including Tsz Ching Estate in Tsz Wan Shan and Choi Fai Estate in Ngau Chi Wan in Wong Tai Sin District and Ping Shek Estate in Kwun Tong District through the Lok Sin Tong and the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals.
      
     To strengthen anti-epidemic work, the HAD is also distributing anti-epidemic cleaning products, including about 4.9 million surgical masks and 3 million sachets of hand sanitiser, to people in need, underprivileged groups and the elderly across the territory through non-governmental organisations.
      
     Elderly people living in Kowloon East public housing estates in need of food packs may call the Lok Sin Tong at 5485 1633 or 5643 2936.
      
     The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government appeals to all sectors of society to stand united and work together to fight against the epidemic, and strongly believes Hong Kong will overcome this acute challenge.