The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Patrick Nip, visited the Public Health Laboratory Services Branch (PHLSB) under the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health (DH) today (June 30) to learn more about its important surveillance role in the fight against the COVID-19 epidemic and to give encouragement to colleagues.
      
     Accompanied by the Director of Health, Dr Constance Chan, Mr Nip toured the Specimen Reception area, the Molecular Laboratory and the Special Investigation Laboratory and was briefed on the latest work situations of staff in different positions, especially their work in coping with COVID-19, such as specimen handling and processing, nucleic acid extraction and the use of the self-developed nucleic acid testing method.
      
     Mr Nip said that he was pleased to learn that colleagues of the PHLSB have all along been playing an instrumental role behind the scenes in the fight against COVID-19, from receiving specimens to conducting laboratory diagnoses. PHLSB colleagues provided timely and quality laboratory diagnostic services and assisted the Government in identifying expeditiously  infected persons which helped achieve the target of early identification, early isolation and early treatment to prevent the spread of the virus in the community.
      
     From January to June 22 this year, the PHLSB has performed over 188,000 COVID-19 tests in total. The PHLSB has been designated by the World Health Organization (WHO) this year as the WHO COVID-19 Reference Lab and WHO COVID-19 external quality assessment programme provider. The PHLSB also provides a quality assessment programme for local laboratories.
      
     Mr Nip expressed his heartfelt thanks to the DH colleagues for sparing no effort in fighting the epidemic in their various positions during the past few months, noting that they have displayed the professionalism and dedication of civil servants. As the fight against the virus is prolonged, he encouraged colleagues to continue to be dedicated to their duties and stay vigilant so as to safeguard the health of the public.

        

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     As at noon today (June 30), two COVID-19 confirmed patients (case number: 100 and 1192) were discharged from hospital in the past 24 hours. So far, a total of 1,107 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 90 confirmed patients are currently hospitalised in eight hospitals, among which one patient is in critical condition (case number: 595), and the remaining 89 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 (June 30), the CHP was investigating two additional confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), taking the number of cases to 1 206 in Hong Kong so far (comprising 1 205 confirmed cases and one probable case).
      
     The newly reported cases announced today involve two males aged 19 and 59. They had travel history during the incubation period. A symptomatic close contact of them is being arranged to be admitted to a public hospital for treatment. 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.
 
     In addition, the CHP received a report from Mainland Customs on a cluster of laboratory confirmed COVID-19 cases involving 11 crew members of a container ship, MSC Flavia, originally scheduled to disembark at Ningbo on June 26. These 11 crew members tested positive for COVID-19 by Ningbo Customs on arrival. Among them, nine crew members embarked on the container ship from Hong Kong on June 24 with six arriving in Hong Kong from Indonesia, two from Greece and one from Croatia between June 21 and 23. All were declared to be asymptomatic on arrival in Hong Kong. Two of the nine cases were subsequently detected as having fever on arrival in Ningbo while the other seven were asymptomatic. The CHP has contacted the health authority in the Mainland to obtain more information about the cases.
 
     Meanwhile, a member company of the Cyberport Startup Alumni Association, namely HelloToby Technology (HK) Limited (Toby), has also begun to provide a door-to-door specimen collection service for COVID-19 testing provided for the CHP's Enhanced Laboratory Surveillance Programme. Together with GoGo Tech Limited (GOGOVAN) and HK PICK-UP LIMITED (Pickupp), which have already started to provide such a service earlier, there are currently three companies providing the door-to-door specimen collection service.
 
     For service details related to the three service providers, please refer to the information below:
 

     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 Legislative Council Secretariat:

     Legislative Council (LegCo) Members conducted a site visit to Kwu Tung today (June 30) to follow up on complaints relating to the Kwu Tung North New Development Area Project.
 
     Accompanied by representatives of the Development Bureau, the Lands Department, the Civil Engineering and Development Department, the Housing Department and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Members visited villagers and farmers in Kwu Tung and Ma Shi Po Village in Fanling to understand more about their needs and concerns over housing and animal resettlement, as well as agricultural rehabilitation.  Members then visited a site for agricultural rehabilitation in Kong Yiu to understand the latest progress of the Special Agricultural Land Rehabilitation Scheme.
 
     Members who participated in the visit today were Dr Fernando Cheung (Convenor), Mr Chan Chi-chuen, Mr Chu Hoi-dick and Dr Cheng Chung-tai.

    

     The Government today (June 30) announced that the Financial Secretary has appointed 11 new non-official members and re-appointed nine serving non-official members to the Business Facilitation Advisory Committee (BFAC) for a new term from July 1, 2020, to December 31, 2022.

     The committee will continue to be chaired by Mr Wong Ting-kwong with Dr Bankee Kwan as deputy chairman in the new term.

     The 11 new non-official members are:

* Mr Chan Kin-nin, Kenneth (Executive Director, Kui Fat Yuen Limited)
* Ms Chan Mei-bo, Mabel (Deputy Managing Partner, Grant Thornton Hong Kong Limited)
* Professor Cheng Yuk-shing (Head, Department of Economics, Hong Kong Baptist University)
* Mr Ho Shiu-chung, Joseph (Managing Director, Zenith Cosmetics Trading Company Limited)
* Mr Leung Chun, Jonathan (Executive Director, Seafood Delight Group Management Limited)
* Mr Leung Hei, Edward (Chief Executive Officer, Hong Kong China Development Holdings Limited)
* Mr Simon Loong (Founder & Group Chief Executive Officer, WeLab)
* Mr Ng Yu-keung, Carl (Chief Executive Officer/Co-founder, Ledo Media Technology Company Limited)
* Mr Sy Ming-yiu, Stanley (Chief Executive Officer, Sanomics Limited)
* Mr Wong Ho, Kevin (Consultant, S.T. Cheng & Co., Solicitors)
* Ms Yeung Bik-yiu, Belinda (Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer, Regal Hotels International Holdings Limited)
 
     The nine re-appointed serving non-official members are:

* Mr Wong Ting-kwong (Legislative Councillor) (as Chairman of BFAC)
* Dr Bankee Kwan (Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Celestial Asia Securities Holdings Limited) (as Deputy Chairman of BFAC)
* Mr Chen Lung-shing, Eddy (Director, Msystem.com.hk Limited)
* Dr Cheng Kin-hon, Thomas (Associate Professor, Department of Law, The University of Hong Kong)
* Mr Kwok Ching-kwong, Francis (Chief Executive Officer, Radica Systems Limited) 
* Mr Lee Yuen-hong (Chairman, Tsui Wah Holdings Limited)
* Ms Leung Lai-ping, Dorine (General Manager and Country Vice President, Novartis Pharmaceuticals (HK) Limited)
* Mr Roy Ng (Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Star Lite (HK) Limited)
* Mr Yau Kam-wing, Kelvin (Executive Director, Sharp Sino Group Limited)

     A Government spokesman said, ”Since its inception, the committee has helped improve the competitiveness of the local business environment by streamlining procedures, removing unnecessary regulatory barriers, improving regulatory efficiency and reducing business compliance costs. It has also served as an effective platform for the Government to engage various business sectors on new or proposed business regulations.”

     The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, expressed his heartfelt thanks to the outgoing members, namely Mr Thomson Cheng, Ms Winnie Chiu, Ms Rosanna Choi, Ms Elaine Ho, Mr Victor Lam, Ms Jennifer Liu, Ms Shalini Mahtani, Dr Billy Mak and Mr Shiu Ka-fai, and paid tribute to them for their valuable support and contributions to the work of the committee and its task forces.
 
     The terms of reference of the committee are at Annex.