The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     As at noon today (May 7), public hospitals had reported to the Department of Health the admission of 19 patients (11 male and eight female, aged 1 to 92) in the past 24 hours who met the reporting criteria of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Appropriate tests have been arranged for the patients.

     There are 120 patients under isolation currently. So far, 944 patients who had COVID-19 confirmed or probable infections have been discharged upon recovery.

     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 Policy Innovation and Co-ordination Office (PICO) announced today (May 7) the results of the applications under the special round of the Public Policy Research (PPR) Funding Scheme.

     The special round of the PPR Funding Scheme was launched in November 2019 to fund local research institutions and think tanks to conduct research studies on topics relating to the underlying causes of the social incidents that took place in the second half of 2019 as well as important political, economic, cultural and societal issues relating to deep-seated problems of society. PICO received 210 applications under the special round and, on the advice of the Assessment Panel, supported 79 projects with total funding of about $31 million.

     In line with the standing arrangements for the PPR Funding Scheme, assessment of applications received under the special round was conducted by the independent Assessment Panel, chaired by and comprising experienced academics. The research quality of the proposal and relevance to the themes of the special round were the principal assessment criteria. In addition, the Panel gave due consideration to other related factors, such as whether the research proposal was solution-oriented, feasible and practical; whether the methodology was reasonable and sound; the capability of the applicant; and whether the proposed budget was prudent and cost-effective. The Assessment Panel took a holistic view on each research proposal, reached a collective decision and made recommendations to PICO. A declaration of interest system was also in place to ensure the assessments were fair and impartial.
 
     In general, a sum of up to $500,000 has been granted to each approved project under the special round. The approved projects have commenced progressively, and all projects are expected to be completed by the end of 2020, with the first batch to be completed in late September/early October 2020.
 
     Details of the funded projects have been uploaded to PICO's website (www.pico.gov.hk/en/PRFS/specialRound.html). Completed research reports which are rated "satisfactory" by the Assessment Panel will be uploaded to PICO's website for public reference in due course.

     Zhen Hong Container Terminals Limited and Affluence Warehouse & Transportation Limited were fined $54,000 and $44,000 respectively at Tuen Mun Magistrates' Courts today (May 7) for violation of the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance. The prosecutions were launched by the Labour Department.
      
     The case involved a fatal accident that occurred on October 4, 2019, at a container yard in Yuen Long. A worker was struck to death by a reversing reach stacker while working in the container yard.

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Thursday, May 7, 2020 is 108.8 (up 0.2 against yesterday's index).

     Two persons were convicted of illegally operating a private columbarium, contravening the Private Columbaria Ordinance, by the Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts today (May 7). They were each fined $15,000, with a criminal record registered.

     A spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) said today that the Private Columbaria Affairs Office (PCAO) of the FEHD had earlier detected that a columbarium in Reclamation Street, Yau Ma Tei, was suspected to have rented out niches without a licence under the Ordinance. An operation was thus mounted at the premises. The operators of the unlicensed columbarium were arrested and prosecuted.

     Under the Ordinance, any person who operates, keeps, manages or in any other way has control of a columbarium other than under a licence commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for three years, or on conviction on indictment to a fine of $5 million and imprisonment for seven years.

     The spokesman said, "This department will continue to take stringent enforcement action against illegally operated private columbaria. Members of the public should not buy or rent niches from any unlicensed columbaria. If members of the public suspect any activities of illegally operating a columbarium, they should immediately report them to the PCAO by calling the hotline on 3142 2300."