In light of the special work arrangement for government employees, the Drainage Services Department (DSD) announced today (July 23) that it will continue to maintain its emergency and essential public services to members of the public next week (until August 2), including the 24-hour DSD Drainage Hotline (2300 1110), the inspection of drainage records and the handling of Sewage Charges/Trade Effluent Surcharge matters. All enquiry phone lines and reception services will be suspended temporarily. The public are advised to minimise their usage of the above services unless under emergency or necessary situations. The public are also advised that the handling time of the above services would be longer than usual.
       
     The inspection of drainage records will be served on Monday to Friday, from 10am to 11.30am and from 2.30pm to 4pm. The offices at the four locations listed below which provide limited receipt and dispatch services will be maintained on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, from 10am to 11.30am and from 2.30pm to 4pm.
     

• 43/F, Revenue Tower, 5 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
• 12/F, Kowloon Government Offices, 405 Nathan Road, Kowloon
• 23/F, 1063 King's Road, Quarry Bay, Hong Kong
• G/F, Western Magistracy Building, 2A Pok Fu Lam Road, Hong Kong

(Deposit boxes will be available at the above four locations and at the gate of Shatin Sewage Treatment Works outside the opening hours for document reception.)
     
     DSD facilities will also be temporarily closed for public visits or other educational purposes until further notice.

     In light of the announcement by the Government today (July 23) that the special work arrangements for government employees will be extended for one week until August 2, a spokesman for the Marine Department (MD) announced that, apart from the Central Marine Office, the licensing and port formalities services at the Yau Ma Tei Marine Office, the Tuen Mun Marine Office, the Sai Kung Marine Office, the Tai Po Marine Office, the Aberdeen Marine Office, the Cheung Chau Marine Office and the Shau Kei Wan Marine Office; the seafarers' examination and certification services; mercantile marine services; local vessel surveying services as well as its enquiry services will continue to be suspended until August 2. Those who have made appointments for services or examinations will be separately informed of alternative arrangements.

     Other services provided by the MD will remain unaffected.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
 
     Amid a new wave of the COVID-19 epidemic in Hong Kong, the numbers of confirmed patients and symptomatic close contacts have increased rapidly every day. The occupancy rate of isolation beds in public hospitals is close to saturation. The growing number of elderly and critical patients with longer lengths of hospital stays has affected the turnover of isolation beds. Upon completion of preparation works the Hospital Authority (HA) can start admitting patients meeting specific clinical criteria and other conditions to the community isolation facility at Lei Yue Mun Park and Holiday Village from tomorrow (July 24).
      
     The HA spokesperson said, "A community isolation facility is one of the important contingency measures to help alleviate the demand pressure of hospital isolation beds and leave room for public hospitals to focus on caring for patients with more severe ailments.
      
     "We have begun preparations for the community isolation facility at Lei Yue Mun Park and Holiday Village since April this year to set up over 300 en-suite units. The detailed arrangements cover staff deployment, infection control, workflow, patient admission and discharge arrangements, emergency support from nearby hospitals, and a connection to the Clinical Management System.
      
     "Preparations for the community isolation facility have now been completed. The HA will arrange the transfer in an orderly manner of appropriate recovering patients with stable condition to the community isolation facility to continue the isolation treatment."
      
     The HA thanked the Government for availing the site and the strong support of the Food and Health Bureau and various government departments. The HA will continue to explore the feasibility of setting up other facilities in the community in preparation for a long term battle against the epidemic.

    

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for United Christian Hospital (UCH) announced a sentinel event today (July 23) as follows:
 
     An 82-year old female patient with terminal disease was admitted to a surgical ward in UCH on July 7 due to abdominal pain and vomiting. She expressed thoughts of self-harm on the next day and she was referred to a clinical psychologist for follow-up. Her emotions were assessed to be stable. From admission onwards, the patient's condition and emotions had been continuously assessed and observed.
 
     During a regular ward patrol at around 3.20am today, there were no abnormalities observed. At 3.50am, the patient was found with two plastic bags wrapped around her head and unconscious. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was performed immediately but the patient succumbed at 4.17am. UCH reported the incident to the Police and will fully co-operate with the police investigation.
 
    The hospital is saddened by the incident and expressed deep condolences to the patient's family. Healthcare staff will render necessary assistance to the patient's family. The case has been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office via the Advance Incident Reporting System. A Root Cause Analysis Panel will be set up to look into the incident and propose recommendations. The incident has also been reported to the Coroner.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     As at noon today (July 23), 35 COVID-19 confirmed patients (case numbers: 1241, 1263, 1266, 1286, 1297, 1308, 1313, 1329, 1331, 1332, 1362, 1375, 1399, 1421, 1422, 1447, 1451, 1454, 1466, 1486, 1501, 1503, 1590, 1597, 1600, 1609, 1664, 1685, 1696, 1731, 1788, 1855, 1870, 1871 and 1888) were discharged from hospital in the past 24 hours. So far, a total of 1 379 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 716 confirmed patients are currently hospitalised in 14 hospitals, among which 33 patients are in critical condition (case numbers: 595, 1338, 1346, 1401, 1424, 1470, 1483, 1485, 1491, 1497, 1498, 1573, 1630, 1644, 1650, 1679, 1680, 1710, 1718, 1730, 1767, 1779, 1795, 1806, 1835, 1940, 1944, 1955, 1956, 2048, 2075, 2079 and 2086), 14 are in serious condition (case numbers: 1306, 1315, 1428, 1439, 1456, 1468, 1558, 1559, 1798, 1805, 1843, 1924, 1936 and 1998) and the remaining 669 patients are in stable condition.
 
     A 63-year-old male patient (case number: 1640) passed away this afternoon. Including this case, 15 COVID-19 patients have passed away in public hospitals so far.
 
     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.