In respect of a suspected case of supplying surgical masks with false trade description currently under investigation by the Customs and Excise Department (C&ED), the Government Logistics Department (GLD) has rendered full assistance to C&ED in collecting evidence and will continue to assist C&ED in its investigation work.

     The concerned masks were procured by GLD in March this year and were delivered in batches since then. GLD has already informed all Government departments which had been allocated the concerned masks to stop using the masks and is liaising with these departments to arrange returning the masks concerned to GLD for transferring to C&ED for further handling. GLD has already rescinded the relevant contracts with the supplier involved in the case and will initiate action to recover from the supplier concerned all losses and damages.

     Furthermore, GLD suspects that the supplier has submitted forged documents to GLD. GLD has referred the matter to the Hong Kong Police Force and will fully assist the Police in its investigation.

     The Department of Health (DH) announced today (June 27) that clinical specimens of seven antenatal clients were found missing from Tin Shui Wai Maternal and Child Health Centre.

     Upon routine checking of laboratory results yesterday (June 26), staff of Tin Shui Wai Maternal and Child Health Centre discovered that the results of Group B Streptococcus screening taken on June 10 for seven pregnant women were not available. And the clinical specimens which consist of vaginal swabs and rectal swabs could not be located despite thorough site search.

     The DH had immediately contacted the affected clients to apologise. The staff had also conducted repeat testing for the clients and had further explained the incident to them in detail.

     The DH has reported the incident to the Police and the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data.

     "We extend apologies to the clients affected for the inconvenience caused. The DH is very concerned about the incident and is conducting a thorough investigation with a view to avoiding recurrence of similar incidents. We have also stepped up efforts in reminding staff members of the necessary procedures to ensure the proper handling and management of clinical specimens," a DH spokesman said.

     Police today (June 27) appealed to the public for information on a man who went missing in Wan Chai.

     Pang Kwok-on, aged 86, went missing after he was last seen in his residence on Jaffe Road on June 9 evening. His family made a report to Police yesterday (June 26).
                   
     He is about 1.75 metres tall, 77 kilograms in weight and of medium build. He has a square face with yellow complexion and short grey hair. He was last seen wearing a blue white T-shirt, blue trousers and black white shoes.

     Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing man or may have seen him is urged to contact the Regional Missing Person Unit of Hong Kong Island on 2860 1042 or 9886 0034 or email to rmpu-hki@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.

  

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
 
     As at noon today (June 27), four COVID-19 confirmed patients (case numbers: 1071, 1085, 1105 and 1111) were discharged from hospital in the past 24 hours. So far, a total of 1 095 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 95 confirmed patients are currently hospitalised in nine hospitals, among which one patient is in critical condition (case number: 595), and the remaining 94 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.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

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

     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (July 27) that Tsing Yi Southwest Swimming Pool in Kwai Tsing District has been temporarily closed for cleaning and superchlorination following the discovery of a small amount of vomit in the pool.

     It will be reopened at 8.45pm today.

     The department appeals to swimmers to be considerate and to keep the swimming pools clean. They are advised not to swim after a full meal and should use the toilet facilities if necessary before swimming.