The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     As at noon today (March 23), public hospitals had reported to the Department of Health the admission of 213 patients (108 male and 105 female, aged 10 months to 82) in the past 24 hours who met the reporting criteria of COVID-19. Appropriate tests have been arranged for the patients.
 
     There are 426 patients under isolation currently. So far, 101 patients who had COVID-19 confirmed or probable infection 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.
 

     Hong Kong Customs seized about 16.5 kilograms of suspected cocaine from a transshipment container at the Kwai Chung Customhouse Cargo Examination Compound with an estimated market value of about $17.7 million on March 13.

     By means of risk assessment and intelligence sharing with World Customs Organization, Customs officers selected a transshipment seaborne container, declared as containing frozen poultry products, from Brazil heading for Japan via Hong Kong for inspection.

     Upon inspection, Customs officers found that some screws of the access panel of the evaporator fan, which was part of the container’s refrigeration unit, were not installed. After opening the panel, the batch of suspected cocaine was found at the top portion of the fan.

     An investigation is ongoing.

     Risk assessment has all along been an effective strategy adopted by Customs to intercept the import and transit movements of dangerous drugs in various channels. The department will continue to step up anti-narcotic efforts by risk assessment and intelligence analysis with international co-operation.

     Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

     Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

    

     The Government and the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AA) jointly announced today (March 23) a $1 billion package of relief measures for the aviation industry in view of the sustained challenges the industry has to face due to the outbreak of COVID-19.
 
     To provide timely and direct support to companies across different sectors at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), the Government together with the AA put together a $1 billion package comprising a government waiver of $670 million for Air Traffic Control Charges in 2019/20 for the AA, which will be passed on in full to the airport community, and $330 million in contributions from the AA.
 
     The relief package is expected to benefit over 400 companies, including airlines, aviation support and associated passenger services, airport retail tenants and restaurants, and airport staff. The major portion of the support will be allocated to direct support measures for the aviation industry. Further rental concessions will also be provided to retail and restaurant tenants at HKIA. To demonstrate care for the airport staff, a training incentive will be provided to front-line airport staff who take on training while they are on unpaid leave. 
 
     A Government spokesman said, "The aviation industry is an important driver for Hong Kong's economy. We are determined to maintain Hong Kong's competitiveness as an international aviation hub, and even more so in challenging times. With the package of relief measures jointly rolled out by the Government and the AA, we stand with the airport community to weather the storm together."
 
     The $1 billion relief package for the aviation industry is provided in addition to the two rounds of relief measures announced in September 2019 and February 2020 respectively, amounting to about $1.6 billion.

     Police today (March 23) appealed to the public for information on a man who went missing in Kwun Tong.

     Wong Ching-tong, aged 58, went missing after he was last seen on Lei Yue Mun Road on March 21 afternoon. His family made a report to Police yesterday morning (March 22).

     He is about 1.66 metres tall, 68 kilograms in weight and of fat build. He has a round face with yellow complexion and short white hair. He was last seen wearing a red and black down jacket, blue jeans and light blue sports 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 New Territories South on 3661 1176 or 9320 5612 or email to rmpu-nts-2@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.

  

     Police today (March 23) appealed to the public for information on a woman who went missing in Aberdeen.

     Au Mon-si, aged 72, went missing after she left her residence in Wah Fu Estate yesterday morning (March 22). Her family made a report to Police on the same day.

     She is about 1.6 metres tall, 45 kilograms in weight and of thin build. She has a square face with yellow complexion and short black hair. She was last seen wearing a pair of red-rimmed glasses, a grey jacket, dark blue jeans and white shoes.

     Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing woman or may have seen her is urged to contact the Regional Missing Person Unit of Hong Kong Island on 2860 1040, 9886 0034 or email to rmpu-hki@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.