A total of 28 nomination forms for the 2020 Legislative Council General Election were received today (July 22) by the Returning Officers for the five geographical constituencies and the 29 functional constituencies.
 
     This brings to 62 the total number of nomination forms received since the start of the nomination period on July 18. The nomination period will continue until July 31.
 
     The number of nomination forms received for each geographical constituency is as follows:
 

 
     The number of nomination forms received for each functional constituency is as follows:
 

 
     Particulars of the nominees will be available on the election website (www.elections.gov.hk/legco2020/eng/nominat.html).

     Hong Kong Customs stepped up enforcement at Hong Kong International Airport from January to June this year to combat smuggling of dangerous drugs through air cargo and air passenger channels in view of the coronavirus disease 2019 epidemic. A total of 409 dangerous drug cases were detected and more than 1.6 tonnes of suspected dangerous drugs with a market value of over $660 million were seized. The drug seizure amount has surpassed the total yearly seizure of last year by 18 per cent and at the same time broke the record of the past decade when counting the amount in the first half of the year.

     During the period, the number of dangerous drug cases detected, the amount of dangerous drugs seized and the market value have shown a substantial increase of 35 per cent, 1.15-fold and 1.7-fold respectively when compared with the same period in 2019. Major seizures in quantity order were cocaine (268 kilograms), methamphetamine (203kg), ketamine (203kg) and cannabis (126kg).

     Regarding the passenger channel, a total of 36 dangerous drug cases were detected in the first half of this year, and 131kg of suspected dangerous drugs worth about $110 million were seized. The seizure amount has surpassed the total of the first half of last year by 21 per cent and has reached 51 per cent of last year's total seizure amount. Among these seizures, the amount of cocaine was the largest at 55kg.

     Regarding the cargo channel, a total of 373 cases were detected in the first half of this year, which is a 37 per cent increase as compared to the figure for the same period last year. Dangerous drugs weighing 1.5 tonnes with a market value of about $550 million were seized, representing a 1.3-fold and 2.3-fold increase respectively when compared to the same period of last year. The seizure amount has also reached 1.3-fold of last year's total seizure amount, representing a substantial increase. Among these seizures, the amount of cocaine was the largest at 213kg.

     Among the cases detected from the cargo channel, a significant increase has been observed in the express parcel channel. Among the 193 cases detected, a total of 468kg of different kinds of dangerous drugs with a market value of about $298 million were seized, marking a 3.6-fold increase as compared to the same period of last year. Thirty-one cases were detected in general cargo with a seizure amount of 791kg, which also marked a two-fold increase as compared to the same period of last year. As for cases effected from the postal channel, a decrease of 24 per cent to 149 cases was recorded.

     Customs believes that drug trafficking syndicates have switched their smuggling route to the air cargo channel (including general cargo, postal parcel and express courier) as a result of the massive cancellation of passenger flights.

     Among the cases detected at the airport, 79 persons aged between 17 and 72, including masterminds of drug trafficking syndicates, were arrested.

     The Group Head (Air Cargo Group) of Airport Command, Mr Lau Ching-lung, and the Group Head (Airport Investigation) of Customs Drug Investigation Bureau, Mr Lee Man-lok, today (July 22) reiterated at a press conference that Customs has all along striven to intercept the inflow of drugs to Hong Kong by adopting a risk management and intelligence-led approach according to the trends in the drug market and smuggling channels.

     Despite the ever-changing concealment methods adopted by drug traffickers, an enormous seizure amount in the first half of this year has been recorded. This reflects the fruitful results achieved by a targeted strategy against drug trafficking activities. The department will continue to make necessary adjustments in deployments in accordance with changes during the epidemic.

     Customs will also introduce advanced artificial intelligence-assisted CT scanners to help detect different kinds of dangerous drugs.

     Customs reminds members of the public not to release their personal data or address to others for receiving mail or goods to avoid having their information used in illegal activities. The public also should not receive mail and goods for others.

     Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

        

     A 43-year-old woman Sergeant who is posted to the Financial Investigation section of the Narcotics Bureau was preliminarily tested positive for the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). She felt unwell on Sunday (July 19) and sought medical treatment at a families Clinics the following day (July 20). Preliminary results released today (July 22) showed that she tested positive for COVID-19. The woman Sergeant had no travel history over the past 14 days, and had not performed any duties that would require her to come into contact with members of the public. She last attended work on July 20.

     Police are highly concerned about the case and have the following message for members of the public:

     1) While awaiting further assessment and recommendation by the Department of Health (DH), officers that might have come into close contact with the woman Sergeant have been arranged to work from home and undergo tests for the virus;
     2) Police have deployed staff to clean and disinfect the Disciplined Services Quarters the woman Sergeant resides in, as well as the office she works in;
     3) Police have reminded officers to reduce social contact to minimise risks of infection, and pay attention to physical health. If feeling unwell, they should consult a doctor and report the case.
     4) Since the onset of the pandemic, Police have constantly deployed staff to disinfect and clean all public areas at the Police Headquarters to safeguard public health.

     Police will continue to maintain close communication with DH and proactively provide information such as the recent duty record and roster of the woman Sergeant concerned. Arrangements will be made for close contacts to be conveyed to quarantine centres to undergo quarantine.
 

     The Department of Health (DH) today (July 22) endorsed two licensed drug wholesalers, Suntol Medical Ltd (Suntol) and     Hovid Limited (Hovid), to recall two metformin-containing products from the market as a precautionary measure due to the presence of an impurity in the products.
 
      The affected products are:
 

               
     Based on overseas reports, the DH collected samples of all extended-release formulations of metformin products registered in Hong Kong for analysis. Test results from the Government Laboratory confirmed that samples of the above two products contained N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA). As a precautionary measure, the wholesalers are voluntarily recalling the above two products.
 
     NDMA is classified as a probable human carcinogen based on results from laboratory tests and overseas drug regulatory authorities have been reviewing the safety impact of NDMA found in some medicinal products including metformin. The DH will closely monitor the development of the issue and any safety updates regarding the drug issued by overseas drug regulatory authorities for consideration of action deemed necessary.
 
     The above products, containing metformin, are prescription medicines used for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. According to the wholesalers, the products have been supplied to local private doctors and pharmacies.
    
     The companies have set up hotlines to answer related enquiries: Suntol (2546 5699) and, Hovid (2343 0396).
 
     "So far, the DH has not received any adverse reaction reports in connection with the products. The DH will closely monitor the recall," a spokesman for the DH said.
 
     "Patients who are taking the above products should not stop taking the medicine, and should seek advice from their healthcare professionals as soon as possible for appropriate arrangements" the spokesman added.

    

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     As at noon today (July 22), 20 COVID-19 confirmed patients (case numbers: 1292, 1321, 1328, 1388, 1390, 1403, 1412, 1416, 1419, 1442, 1474, 1523, 1547, 1576, 1596, 1663, 1733, 1749, 1756 and 1836) were discharged from hospital in the past 24 hours. So far, a total of 1,344 patients with confirmed or probable infections have been discharged.
 
     At present, there are 650 negative pressure rooms in public hospitals with 1,207 negative pressure beds activated. A total of 645 confirmed patients are currently hospitalised in 14 hospitals, among which 29 patients are in critical condition (case numbers: 595, 1338, 1346, 1401, 1424, 1428, 1470, 1483, 1485, 1491, 1497, 1498, 1573, 1630, 1640, 1644, 1679, 1680, 1710, 1718, 1730, 1779, 1795, 1806, 1835, 1940, 1944, 1955 and 1956), 14 are in serious condition (case numbers: 1306, 1315, 1439, 1456, 1468, 1558, 1559, 1650, 1767, 1798, 1805, 1843, 1934 and 1936) and the remaining 602 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.