The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health has announced that as of 4pm today (May 7), the CHP was investigating four additional confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), taking the number of cases to 1 045 in Hong Kong so far (comprising 1 044 confirmed cases and one probable case).
 
     The newly reported cases announced today involve four males aged between 11 and 47. All of them had a 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 urged members of the public to maintain an appropriate social distance with other people as far as possible in their daily lives. 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."
 
     The CHP will report the cases to the World Health Organization, the National Health Commission, the Health Commission of Guangdong Province, relevant health authorities and the Hospital Authority.
 
     The CHP has set up hotlines (2125 1111 and 2125 1122), which operate from 8am to midnight daily, for public enquiries. As at 4pm today, a total of 107 033 calls had been received.
 
     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.
 
     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 door knobs, 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 Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Mr Alfred Sit, today (May 7) went to the Hong Kong Science Park (Science Park) to visit the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTPC), the Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute, the Logistics and Supply Chain MultiTech R&D Centre and the Nano and Advanced Materials Institute to learn about their work focuses and progress.
 
     He also met with representatives of HKSTP start-ups specialised in different areas such as healthcare technology, artificial intelligence, chips, material science and vehicle safety technology. Some start-ups have participated in the "StayHomeSafe" mobile app.
 
     Mr Sit said that Science Park is a breeding ground for local innovation and technology that shows tremendous strength. With the concerted efforts of the HKSTPC and all research and development (R&D) centres, batches of R&D talent have been nurtured, with their innovations winning recognition worldwide. Their work has also helped consolidate Hong Kong's R&D strengths, promote applied R&D and foster commercialisation of R&D results.
 
     On the application of technology solutions in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, the electronic wristbands and the "StayHomeSafe" mobile app used in supporting home quarantine arrangements, the NASK Nanofiber Smart Mask supplied to the Hospital Authority and the CuMask+™ are all R&D achievements from Science Park.
 
     Mr Sit hoped that with the collaborative efforts of the HKSTP and R&D centres, the I&T development in Hong Kong will be further promoted, thus driving economic development and improving people's livelihood.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
 
     The Coin Carts will resume service with effect from next Monday (May 11), and will visit the following locations between May 11 and 17, 2020:
       

     The service schedules of the two Coin Carts for the period between May 11 and August 23, 2020 have also been posted on the HKMA website (coincollection.hkma.gov.hk).
 
     In compiling future service schedules, the HKMA will arrange the Coin Carts to visit locations in the schedules cancelled during the period between March 25 and May 10, 2020, subject to approval by relevant authorities.
 
     To reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19, the following precautionary measures will be taken:

1. Frequently touched areas of the coin carts, such as door knobs and handrails, will be disinfected regularly;
2. Hand sanitisers will be provided to users;
3. User's body temperature will be checked before entering the Coin Carts; only users with normal body temperature will be admitted into the Coin Carts;
4. Users must wear masks at any time inside the Coin Carts; and
5. Appropriate queuing arrangement to minimise group gathering will be implemented; users queuing outside the Coin Carts will have to maintain an appropriate distance from each other.

     Police today (May 7) appealed to the public for information on a man who went missing in Tai Po.

     Mak Siu-hung, aged 40, went missing after he left his residence on Fung Yuen Road on May 4 morning. His family made a report to Police yesterday (May 6).

     He is about 1.7 metres tall, 68 kilograms in weight and of medium build. He has a square face with yellow complexion and short black hair.

     Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing man or may have seen him is urged to contact the Regional Missing Person Unit of New Territories North on 3661 3128 or 6273 5787 or email to rmpu-ntn-1@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.

  

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     The Legislative Council (LegCo) House Committee (HC) will hold a special meeting tomorrow (May 8) at 10am in Conference Room 1 of the LegCo Complex to continue the proceedings of the election of the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of HC for the 2019-2020 session. The HC will hold another special meeting at 2.30pm on the same day in Conference Room 1 of the LegCo Complex to deal with urgent or essential HC's business pending the election of a new chairman.

     Meanwhile, the meeting of the LegCo Finance Committee (FC) originally scheduled for 3pm tomorrow in Conference Room 1 of the LegCo Complex will be cancelled, whereas the FC meeting from 9am to 10am on the same day will be held as scheduled.