A correctional officer stopped a female person in custody from committing self-harm behaviour by drinking shampoo in Lo Wu Correctional Institution today (July 13).

     â€‹At 4.17 pm, a correctional officer found the 50-year-old female person in custody committing self-harm behaviour by drinking a small quantity of shampoo inside her cell. The officer immediately ordered her to stop the act and sent her to the centre hospital for treatment. Upon receiving treatment from the institution medical officer, she was sent to a public hospital for further examination and treatment.

     â€‹A clinical psychologist of the department will follow up on the case.

     â€‹A spokesman for the Correctional Services Department said, "The department uses all possible measures to prevent persons in its custody from attempting suicide or self-harm. These measures include administrative arrangements, the improvement of institution facilities, staff training and first aid services."

     â€‹The person in custody was sentenced to imprisonment for the offence of trafficking in a dangerous drug.

     A spokesman for the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau (CMAB) said today (July 13) that various government bureaux/departments have received a number of complaints from the public regarding the pro-democratic camp's "primaries" for the 2020 Legislative Council General Election (LCGE) held last weekend (July 11–12), claiming that the "primaries" may have allegedly interfered with and manipulated the LCGE, severely jeopardised the integrity of the electoral process and thereby giving rise to unfairness in the election. Some of the complaints alleged the crowds showed up at the event venues indicated a violation of the prohibition on group gathering, and some are concerned with the lack of protection of personal data collected from the public which might lead to misuse and thereby breaching the relevant provisions under the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance.

     Apart from the above, some of the complaints are related to the organiser's vow, of which to veto government's budget after "winning 35 or more seats in the Legislative Council" in order to achieve "mutual destruction", may constitute a breach of the offence of subversion under Article 22 of The Law of the People's Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region which stated that a person shall be guilty of an offence if a person seriously interferes in, disrupts, undermines the performance of duties and functions in accordance with the law by the body of central power of the People's Republic of China or the body of power of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region by force or threat of force or other unlawful means.

     Regarding the complaints, the Government is now conducting an in-depth investigation and will seek legal advice if necessary. In case of any violation of the relevant laws and regulations, the Government will immediately refer the case to relevant law enforcement agencies for investigation and apprehension in accordance with the law.

     The spokesman for the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau reiterates that election is an earnestly serious matter. The Government is committed to ensuring that public elections are held in an open, fair and honest manner. If anyone is found to have committed acts of deceit or violated any law during the electoral process, the Government will handle the case in a serious manner and there shall be no tolerance, and will investigate the case and apprehend offenders in accordance with the law. The ordinance of election in Hong Kong will not recognise nor approve the format, procedure and results of the so-called "primaries" held by the pro-democratic camp.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health has announced that as of 4pm today (July 13), the CHP was investigating 52 additional confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), taking the number of cases to 1 522 in Hong Kong so far (comprising 1 521 confirmed cases and one probable case).
  
     The newly reported cases announced today involve 27 males and 25 females aged between five months and 92 years. Among them, 11 had a travel history during the incubation period.
 
     As the recent cases involve a number of restaurant-related clusters, the CHP appeals to members of the public who recently visited the restaurants where patients of confirmed cases had visited, especially the Green River Restaurant, Deluxe Cuisine and Windsor in Tsz Wan Shan Shopping Centre; Dim Sum Square on Hillier Street, Sheung Wan; and Lucky Dragon Palace Restaurant in Choi Wan Commercial Complex, to monitor their health condition. If symptoms develop, they should seek medical attention as soon as possible.
 
     For the local cases announced today, the CHP will distribute deep throat saliva specimen bottles to residents of buildings where the patients live, as well as to those whom they might have had contact with during the infectious period. People are also urged to seek medical attention early if symptoms develop.
 
     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.
 
     The CHP again urged members of the public to maintain an appropriate social distance with other people as far as possible in their daily lives to minimise the risk of infection. In particular, they should go out less and avoid social activities such as meal gatherings or other gatherings to reduce the chance of contacting infected persons who may not present any symptoms, and minimise the risk of outbreak clusters emerging in the community.
           
     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.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for the Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital (PYNEH) today (July 13) announced that a 95-year-old female COVID-19 confirmed patient (case no: 1341) passed away at around 6.30pm this evening.

     The patient with chronic diseases was admitted to the Hospital on July 10. She had no active symptom on admission and her condition was stable. Her condition later deteriorated rapidly on July 11 and required oxygen and drug therapy. Her condition further deteriorated and she eventually succumbed at 6.31pm today.

     The Hospital was saddened about the passing away of the patient and would offer necessary assistance to her family members.

     Including the above case, eight COVID-19 patients have passed away in public hospitals so far.

     This evening (July 13), the Immigration Department (ImmD) learned that a male Senior Immigration Assistant who stationed at Control Support Section was notified to have tested positive for COVID-19.    

     The officer concerned is mainly responsible for providing supporting services at the 14/F and 16/F of the Wan Chai Immigration Tower. Both floors are not public floors and are not open to the public. He last performed duties on July 10 and sought medical treatment at clinic, and was subsequently notified of the tested positive result this evening.

     The officer concerned has no recent travel history. He has been wearing mask when performing duties, his body temperature was normal and he followed relevant disease prevention measures at work. Currently, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) is trying to find out the cause of his infection and whether he has been in close contact with other people.   ImmD will proactively co-operate with the center's quarantine work including arranging related immigration staff members to undergo COVID-19 testing.     

    His workplace has immediately been arranged for thorough cleansing and to be fully sterilised in accordance with the guidelines of the CHP including all public facilities.

    During the situation of COVID-19 infection, the Department has been strictly implementing various disease prevention measures, including measuring the body temperature of persons before entering the building, providing employees with masks and other protective equipment, requiring employees to wear masks when performing duties, and stepping up the cleaning and sterilizing measures of the working environment.  

    The Department will continue to maintain close liaison with the CHP and has also reminded its staff to pay attention to personal hygiene and stay vigilant. If feeling unwell, staff are reminded to seek medical advice and inform the department as soon as possible.