Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at regular intervals:     

　　The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (July 13) that due to suspension of water supply resulting from water pipe burst in the vicinity, Jordan Valley Swimming Pool in Kwun Tong District has been temporarily closed until further notice.

     A spokesman for the Leisure and Cultural Services Department said today (July 12) that the outdoor tennis courts at Tung Chau Street Park in Sham Shui Po District will reopen at 7am tomorrow (July 13) after thorough cleansing and disinfection. Tung Chau Street Park Squash Centre will continue to be closed until further notice.
     

     Police are investigating a fatal traffic accident in Ma On Shan this afternoon (July 12) in which a 26-year-old woman died.
                
     At 1.39pm, the 26-year-old woman was riding a bicycle downhill along A Kung Kok Shan Road. Upon reaching near A Kung Kok Street, the woman fell onto the ground after the bicycle reportedly lost control and rammed into barriers.
                
     Sustaining serious head injuries, the woman was rushed to Prince of Wales Hospital in unconscious state and was certified dead at 4.30pm.
                
     Investigation by the Special Investigation Team of Traffic, New Territories South is underway.
                
     Anyone who witnessed the accident or has any information to offer is urged to contact the investigating officers on 3661 1300 or 3661 1346.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health has announced that as of 4pm today (July 12), the CHP was investigating 38 additional confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), taking the number of cases to 1 470 in Hong Kong so far (comprising 1 469 confirmed cases and one probable case).
  
     The newly reported cases announced today involve 21 males and 17 females aged between seven and 89 years. Among them, eight had a travel history during the incubation period.
 
     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:

     As at noon today (July 12), 17 COVID-19 confirmed patients (case numbers: 1135, 1195, 1201, 1203, 1218, 1221, 1222, 1229, 1232, 1243, 1257, 1276, 1278, 1280, 1287, 1288 and 1294 ) were discharged from hospital in the past 24 hours. So far, a total of 1 214 patients with confirmed or probable infection have been discharged.
      
     At present, there are 604 negative pressure rooms in public hospitals with 1 157 negative pressure beds activated. A total of 205 confirmed patients are currently hospitalised in ten hospitals, among which four patients are in critical condition (case numbers: 595, 1315, 1341 and 1401), three are in serious condition (case numbers: 1269, 1306 and 1322) and the remaining 198 patients are in stable condition.
      
     The HA 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.