The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (July 18) said that in view of some recent confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 found to be related to markets, the FEHD has already further enhanced cleaning and disinfection in markets under the department. Upon learning that there were confirmed cases related to Ngau Chi Wan Market and Pei Ho Street Market, the FEHD immediately enhanced the cleaning and disinfection work and additionally arranged for the early closure of the two markets yesterday (July 17) for deep cleaning and disinfection. The FEHD will also arrange for 12 public markets in Kowloon District to be closed earlier for deep cleaning and disinfection in the coming few days as a precautionary measure.

     The FEHD has attached importance to the hygienic condition of public markets. In addition to regular cleaning work in the daytime, market service contractors also conduct thorough cleaning in all markets after the markets are closed every day. In light of the epidemic situation, the FEHD has already stepped up cleaning and disinfection of communal areas and facilities in the markets, including toilets, escalators, elevators and stair handrails, with diluted household bleach regularly every day over the past few months. Disinfectant hand sanitisers are also provided in the markets for public use.

     To further strengthen the anti-epidemic measures, the FEHD will arrange the following 12 public markets in Kowloon District to close an hour earlier at 7pm for deep cleaning and disinfection in the coming few days:

July 19 (Sunday)
Ngau Tau Kok Market
Sheung Fung Street Market
Yau Ma Tei Market
Fa Yuen Street Market

July 20 (Monday)
Shui Wo Street Market
Tai Shing Street Market
Kowloon City Market
Po On Road Market

July 21 (Tuesday):
To Kwa Wan Market
Hung Hom Market
Tai Kok Tsui Market
Lai Wan Market

     During the period, the FEHD staff will thoroughly clean and disinfect communal areas and facilities in the markets, and call for cooperation of market tenants to conduct cleaning and disinfection at their respective stalls, with a view to improving the overall hygienic condition of the markets. In addition, the FEHD will carry out deep cleaning work on the periphery of the markets and nearby streets. The cleaning and disinfection work is expected to last about four hours.

     The FEHD will closely monitor the situation of its market and conduct enhanced cleaning and disinfection work as a precautionary measure where necessary so as to maintain environmental hygiene and safeguard the health and safety of market stall tenants and the public.

     Police today (July 18) appealed to the public for information on a woman who went missing in Sau Mau Ping.

     Cheng Sze-king, aged 37, went missing after she was last seen in Upper Ngau Tau Kok Estate on June 19. Her family made a report to Police yesterday (July 17).

     She is about 1.8 metres tall, 90 kilograms in weight and of fat build. She has a round face with yellow complexion and short black hair.

     Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing woman or may have seen her is urged to contact the Regional Missing Person Unit of Kowloon East on 3661 0316 or 9886 0060 or email to rmpu-ke-2@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.
     

  

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     As at noon today (July 18), 10 COVID-19 confirmed patients (case numbers: 1216, 1230, 1234, 1236, 1255, 1271, 1289, 1305, 1462 and 1592) were discharged from hospital in the past 24 hours. So far, a total of 1,274 patients with confirmed or probable infection have been discharged.
      
     At present, there are 650 negative pressure rooms in public hospitals with 1,207 negative pressure beds activated. A total of 421 confirmed patients are currently hospitalised in 14 hospitals, among which 13 patients are in critical condition (case numbers: 595, 1315, 1338, 1346, 1401, 1428, 1497, 1562, 1630, 1640, 1679, 1680 and 1710), 11 are in serious condition (case numbers: 1269, 1306, 1322, 1348, 1424, 1439, 1443, 1449, 1470, 1485 and 1557) and the remaining 397 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 Customs and Excise Department (C&ED) today (July 18) learned that a Customs Officer has preliminarily tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

     The officer works on 23/F of the Customs Headquarters Building in North Point. The floor is not a public floor and is not open to the public.

     The officer is responsible for logistic duties. He last performed his duties this Thursday (July 16) and felt unwell yesterday (July 17) morning. After seeking medical treatment at a private clinic, he was notified last night to have preliminarily tested positive for COVID-19. Isolation treatment in hospital is being arranged for the officer.

     The officer has no recent travel history. He has been wearing surgical masks when performing duties and has properly maintained social distancing with people he has had contact with. His body temperature was normal when undergoing temperature screening during work.

     The department has been closely co-operating with the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) on the CHP's epidemiological investigations. The colleagues working with the officer are asymptomatic. Customs has liaised with the CHP for arranging those officers to undergo COVID-19 testing. The concerned floor has also been arranged to undergo a thorough cleaning and sterilisation.

     C&ED is highly concerned about the epidemic of COVID-19 and has remained highly vigilant since the epidemic broke out. Relevant hygienic measures for infectious diseases provided by the CHP have been strictly adopted. All officers have their body temperatures checked before performing their duties. They are also required to wear proper personal protective equipment.

     The department has stepped up the cleaning and sterilising measures for all working locations and will remind all officers to strictly comply with the hygienic measures of infectious diseases provided by the CHP. The officers will also be reminded to consult a doctor promptly if they have any discomforting symptoms.

     The Home Affairs Department will open 19 temporary night heat shelters tonight (July 18) 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