A spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) said today (March 31) that a pet cat sent to the AFCD has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. This is the third animal to test positive in Hong Kong, following two earlier cases in which two dogs tested weak positive or positive during repeated tests for the virus.
 
     The current case involves a Domestic short-haired cat that lived in a residence at Aberdeen. When the owner was confirmed with COVID-19, the cat was sent for quarantine at the animal keeping facility at the Hong Kong Port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge yesterday (March 30). The Department has collected samples from the cat for tests, and the oral cavity, nasal and rectal samples were tested positive with COVID-19 virus. The cat has not shown any signs of disease.
 
     The Department will continue to closely monitor the cat and conduct repeated testing.  
 
     The AFCD will continue to work together with the Department of Health in handling relevant cases. To ensure public and animal health, the Department strongly advises that mammalian pet animals including dogs and cats from households with persons confirmed as infected with COVID-19 should be put under quarantine in AFCD facilities.
 
     The spokesman reminded pet owners to adopt good hygiene practices (including hand washing before and after being around or handling animals, their food, or supplies, as well as avoiding kissing them) and to maintain a clean and hygienic household environment. People who are sick should restrict contact with animals. If there are any changes in the health condition of the pets, advice from a veterinarian should be sought as soon as possible.
     
     The spokesman emphasised that there is currently no evidence that pet animals can be a source of COVID-19. Pet owners should always maintain good hygiene practices and under no circumstances should they abandon their pets.

     In view of the substantial reduction in flight frequencies or even cancellation of flights to destinations in the below list by airlines, which results in no provision of air traffic capacity, Hongkong Post announced today (March 31) that there will be service suspension of Airmail  (including Speedpost) to these destinations arising from such development. Members of the public may consider using surface mail service. In this connection, Hongkong Post has requested service providers concerned to advance their shipping schedules or increase their frequencies of service to these destinations to up to once per week. The new destinations affected and the estimated surface journey time is set out as follows:
 

     For Korea, as the substantial reduction in flight frequencies continues and the air traffic capacity provided cannot cope with the posting volume of Speedpost to this destination (Hongkong Post already announced on March 27 for suspension of Airmail service to Korea), members of the public may consider using surface mail to Korea, which has an increased frequency to once per week and the surface journey time is around 5 days.
 
     In addition, air traffic capacity can barely be provided to the below listed European destinations. Hongkong Post can only endeavor to maintain Speedpost services to these destinations to facilitate the posting of urgent mail by the public.

     Notwithstanding this, even though Hongkong Post has completed the handling procedures after posting, Speedpost handed to airlines for these destinations is subject to delays of more than two weeks. Members of the public may consider using surface mail service. Hongkong Post has requested service providers concerned to advance their shipping schedules or increase their frequencies of service also to these destinations to up to once per week.
 

     Members of the public may visit the Hongkong Post website and refer to the link hongkongpost.hk/en/preparation/posting/latest_dates/index.html for the latest dates of posting for forthcoming surface despatches.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for Tuen Mun Hospital (TMH) made the following announcement today (March 31) regarding the Legionella infection case:

     A male patient (aged 65) in the Orthopaedics and Traumatology Ward of TMH was confirmed the diagnosis of Legionnaires' Disease (LD) today (March 31). The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) visited the ward and collected water samples from the hospital today. The source of infection for the patient is still being investigated. The patient is in critical condition due to his underlying illness.
      
     The hospital has already implemented a series of precautionary and infection control improvement measures, including:
 
1.      Installing bacterial filters on basin faucets and shower heads;
2.      Suspending use of related basin faucets;
3.      After communicating with the CHP, the hospital has implemented clinical surveillance of the patients in the ward.
 
     The case has been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office according to established guidelines. In addition to the above precautionary and improvement measures, the hospital has reminded all medical and nursing staff to be vigilant and continue to closely monitor the situation on the ward. Moreover, the hospital will co-operate with the CHP in the investigation of the source of infection. 

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) announced that as of 4pm today (March 31), the CHP is investigating 32 additional confirmed cases of COVID-19, taking the number of cases to 715 in Hong Kong so far (comprising 714 confirmed cases and one probable case).
 
     The newly reported cases announced today involve 19 males and 13 females aged between 11 and 86. Among them, 24 had travel history during the incubation period and 13 are overseas students. 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.
      
     For information on flights that patients of the confirmed cases have taken, please refer to the following webpage: (www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/flights_trains_en.pdf). Passengers who travelled on the same flights and sat within two seats surrounding those patients are urged to call the CHP hotlines 2125 1111 and 2125 1122.
      
     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.
      
     In particular, the CHP reminded those who have returned to Hong Kong from overseas or visited overseas before the Compulsory Quarantine of Persons Arriving at Hong Kong from Foreign Places Regulation (Cap. 599E) took effect on March 19 that, although they are not subject to the 14-day compulsory quarantine, they should stay home and avoid going out as far as possible for 14 days. They should wear surgical mask, maintain stringent personal hygiene as a measure to protect themselves and their family members. They should seek medical advice as soon as possible if symptoms develop to safeguard the health of themselves, family and friends as well as the general public.
      
     A spokesman for the CHP said, "In view of proliferation of the disease and 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, and regularly pour water into drain outlets (U-traps); 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, National Health Commission, Health Commission of Guangdong Province, relevant health authorities and the Hospital Authority.
      
     The CHP has set up the hotlines (2125 1111 and 2125 1122), which operate from 8am to midnight daily, for public enquiries. As at 4pm today, a total of 74 625 calls were 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 the 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 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 liter of water into each drain outlet (U-traps) 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.

     A spokesman for the Security Bureau said today (March 31) that a notification was received from the Chinese People's Liberation Army Hong Kong Garrison (the Garrison) today to inform the Security Bureau of an accident involving a helicopter of the Garrison which occurred in the afternoon of March 30 during the Garrison's flight training operation conducted in the area of the Tai Lam Country Park. The incident did not involve any injury to people or damage to residences. The Garrison is handling and investigating the incident in accordance with the Garrison Law. The Security Bureau will continue to liaise with the Garrison on the incident.