The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     As at noon today (July 2), three COVID-19 confirmed patients (case numbers: 1136, 1149 and 1166) were discharged from hospital in the past 24 hours. So far, a total of 1 120 patients with confirmed or probable infections have been discharged.
 
     At present, there are 602 negative pressure rooms in public hospitals with 1 170 negative pressure beds activated. A total of 107 confirmed patients are currently hospitalised in eight hospitals, among which one patient is in critical condition (case number: 595), and the remaining 106 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 Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health has announced that as of 4pm today (July 2), the CHP was investigating nine additional confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), taking the number of cases to 1 243 in Hong Kong so far (comprising 1 242 confirmed cases and one probable case).
     
     The newly reported cases announced today involve three males and six females aged between 2 and 40. They had travel history during the incubation period. 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 director of Hua Xiang Engineering Company Limited was prosecuted by the Labour Department (LD) for defaulting on the sum awarded to employees by the Labour Tribunal (LT) under the Employment Ordinance (EO). The director pleaded guilty earlier at Shatin Magistrates' Courts and was sentenced to four weeks' imprisonment suspended for 24 months today (July 2). The director was also ordered to pay the three employees the outstanding sum of about $438,000.
 
     The company failed to pay three employees the awarded sum of about $438,000 by the LT within 14 days in accordance with the requirement of the EO. The director concerned was prosecuted and convicted for his consent, connivance or neglect in the above offences.
 
     "The judgment will disseminate a strong message to all directors and responsible officers of bodies corporate that they have personal liability to ensure payment of awarded sums to employees according to the awards of the LT or the Minor Employment Claims Adjudication Board in accordance with the EO," a spokesman for the LD said.
 
     "The LD will not tolerate these offences and will spare no effort in enforcing the law and safeguarding employees' statutory rights," the spokesman added.

     Police are investigating a fatal traffic accident in Wan Chai today (July 2) in which a 29-year-old man died.

     At about 5.15am, a bus driven by a 52-year-old man was travelling along Hennessy Road eastbound. When approaching 555 Hennessy Road, it reportedly hit the 29-year-old man who was lying on the ground.

     The man was trapped under the bus and was rescued by firemen. Sustaining serious head injuries, the man was rushed to Ruttonjee Hospital in unconscious state and was certified dead at 6.32am.

     Post-mortem examinations will be conducted later to ascertain the cause of death of the deceased.

     Investigation by the Special Investigation Team of Traffic, Hong Kong Island is underway.

     Anyone who witnessed the accident or has any information to offer is urged to contact the investigating officers on 3660 6838.
     

     A man was fined $2,500 at the Shatin Magistrates' Courts today (July 2) for contravening the Hotel and Guesthouse Accommodation Ordinance.

     The court heard that in May last year, officers of the Office of the Licensing Authority (OLA), Home Affairs Department, inspected a suspected unlicensed guesthouse in Shek Kwu Lung in Tai Po. During the inspection, the OLA officers posed as lodgers and successfully rented a room in the guesthouse on a daily basis.

     According to the OLA's records, the guesthouse did not possess a licence under the Ordinance on the day of inspection. The man responsible for operating the premises was charged with contravening section 5(1) of the Ordinance.

     A department spokesman stressed that operating or managing an unlicensed guesthouse is a criminal offence and can lead to a criminal record. Upon conviction, the offender is liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and two years' imprisonment.

     The spokesman appealed to anyone with information about suspected unlicensed guesthouses to report it to the OLA through the hotline (Tel: 2881 7498), by email (hadlaenq@had.gov.hk), by fax (2504 5805) using the report form downloaded from the OLA website (www.hadla.gov.hk), or through the mobile application "Hong Kong Licensed Hotels and Guesthouses".