The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     As at noon today (May 28), one COVID-19 confirmed patient (case number: 142) was discharged from hospital in the past 24 hours. So far, a total of 1 035 confirmed and suspected patients have been discharged.
      
     At present, there are 659 negative pressure rooms in public hospitals with 1 219 negative pressure beds activated. A total of 28 confirmed patients are currently hospitalised in seven hospitals, among which one patient is in critical condition (case number: 595), and the remaining 27 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 (May 28), no new local confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) had been recorded, and that the number of cases in Hong Kong remained at 1 067 so far (comprising 1 066 confirmed cases and one probable case).

     Meanwhile, the CHP is investigating an overseas case. The case involves a 66-year-old female patient who travelled to Spain from March 2 to May 20 and the United Kingdom from May 20 to 26. She travelled from London to Amsterdam for transit and arrived in Hong Kong on May 27 on flight KL887 (economy class) by KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. According to the patient, she developed malaise and loss of smell and taste on March 26 and had received a test of which the result was positive for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in Spain on March 28. Upon arrival in Hong Kong, she was transferred directly from Hong Kong International Airport to North Lantau Hospital and subsequently admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital for management. Her respiratory specimen tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. She is currently in a stable condition. The CHP has contacted the health authority in Spain to obtain more information about the case.

     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 the 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 effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Thursday, May 28, 2020 is 109.2 (same as yesterday's index).

     The Education Bureau (EDB) reminded parents today (May 28) that the results of the Central Allocation for Primary One Admission (POA) 2020 will be sent to parents by post from next Wednesday to Thursday (June 3 to June 4).

      "A total of 26 793 children took part in Primary One Central Allocation. Among them, 19 554 children were allocated to schools of their first three choices," a spokesman for the bureau said.

      "Taking into account discretionary places and the number of children allocated to schools of their first three choices in the Central Allocation, the overall satisfaction rate is 85.4 per cent."

      The Central Allocation of POA is composed of two parts. Ten per cent of the places for the Central Allocation, which are not restricted by school nets, are under Part A and parents may choose up to three schools in any school net. The remaining 90 per cent of the places for the Central Allocation are under Part B and parents are required to select schools in the school net/Choice of Schools List in respect of the applicant child. Of the places allocated to children in the Central Allocation, 2 834 are under Part A and 23 959 are under Part B.

     Parents who completed a Choice of Schools Form for the Central Allocation on January 18 or January 19 this year will receive the Primary One Registration Form delivered by post from June 3 to June 4 through the Local CourierPost service provided by Hongkong Post. If the mail item at the time of delivery by Hongkong Post is unattended, a Mail Collection Notification Card will be left for parents to collect it from the designated post office starting from the afternoon of the following working day. If parents have not received the Primary One Registration Form or the Mail Collection Notification Card issued by Hongkong Post by June 5, they could collect the Primary One Registration Form at the designated collection centre from June 6 to June 7.

     The Primary One Registration Form will show the name and address of the school to which the children are allocated, together with the dates for registration. In light of the epidemic development of coronavirus disease 2019, the EDB will assign timeslots for parents to register with the allocated school on June 9 (Tuesday) or June 10 (Wednesday) according to the last digit of the applicant children's POA application number to reduce the gathering of people and maintain social distancing. Parents are requested to complete the registration formalities within the specified date and time as listed on the Arrangements on Registration attached to the Primary One Registration Form. Parents who cannot proceed with the registration within the specified date and time can register on June 11 (Thursday) instead, from 9am to 12pm or 2pm to 4pm.

     Parents who cannot register their child with the school on the above dates due to matters of grave importance should notify the person in charge of registration of the school concerned in advance to make alternative arrangements; otherwise, they would be deemed to have given up the school place allocated.

     Upon registration, the Primary One Registration Form should be surrendered to the school. Parents should note that all places allocated are final and would not be changed.

     In view of the arrangement of 14-day compulsory quarantine, parents of Cross-Boundary Students (CBS) may not be able to register with their respective allocated schools in person. In this connection, the EDB has made special arrangements for these parents. They could register with their allocated school by fax, email or post, or authorise a representative to register with the school on their behalf on the specified registration dates. The EDB has already informed all parents of CBS about the special arrangements.

     Should parents decide to give up the place allocated because of special circumstances, such as moving to another school net far from the school allocated, they need not register their child with the school allocated. They are advised to go to the EDB's School Places Allocation Section, Office 2, 2/F, Manulife Financial Centre, 223 Wai Yip Street, Kwun Tong, Kowloon, to make necessary arrangements. They should bring along the Primary One Registration Form, the original and copies of documents showing proof of the new address, such as a rental contract, rates demand notes, or water or electricity bills bearing the name of the parent or the guardian of the child.

     Any parent who finds it necessary to transfer his/her child to another school after registration is strongly advised to obtain an assurance of acceptance from that school before retrieving the Primary One Registration Form from the original school because retrieval of the registration form means cancellation of the allocated school place.
 
     Should the territory be affected by adverse weather or other special circumstances during the period for the announcement of results or on any day(s) designated for registration, parents should listen to announcements on radio and television for special arrangements for Central Allocation or registration.

     Parents wishing to obtain general information regarding POA procedures can call the 24-hour enquiry service of the EDB at 2891 0088. Further enquiries can be made to the School Places Allocation Section at 2832 7610 (for Hong Kong Island and Islands), 2832 7620 (for Kowloon), 2832 7635 (for New Territories West), 2832 7659 (for New Territories East) and 2832 7700/2832 7740 (for general enquiries) during office hours, as well as from 9am to 4.30pm on June 6 and June 7.

     The Social Welfare Department (SWD) announced today (May 28) the provision of six-months of unemployment support under the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) Scheme from June 1 to November 30. The asset limits for able-bodied persons will be relaxed temporarily by 100 per cent. These asset limits will be restored to the normal level from December 1.

     Having considered the unprecedented challenges posed by COVID-19 in Hong Kong, the Chief Executive announced on April 8 the implementation of the second round of anti-epidemic measures which include the provision of time-limited unemployment support through the CSSA system. The Finance Committee of the Legislative Council had approved the related funding on April 18.

     The SWD will temporarily relax the CSSA asset limits for able-bodied persons (including able-bodied adult singletons and able-bodied adults and children under family cases) by 100 per cent for six months. For the existing CSSA asset limits applicable to able-bodied persons and the relaxed asset limits during the period from June 1 to November 30, please see the Annex.

     Moreover, under the existing CSSA arrangement, the value of an owner-occupied residential property of households with able-bodied persons will be disregarded for a grace period of the first 12 months after applications have been approved. This arrangement will also be applicable to applicants under this relaxation measure.

     Applicants may visit the SWD's website (www.swd.gov.hk/en/index/site_faqs/page_socialsecu). For enquiries, please call the SWD hotline at 2343 2255.