Tag Archives: China

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     Based on the experience of the past few days, the Hospital Authority (HA) expects the referral to public hospitals by the Port Health Division of the Department of Health of a large number of people suspected to be infected with COVID-19 to arrive at Hong Kong via the Hong Kong International Airport every day. The HA is working on the establishment of test centres at the AsiaWorld-Expo and the North Lantau Hospital under the instruction of the Government’s Steering Committee in relation to the COVID-19 virus.
 
     Starting tomorrow (March 20), people arriving Hong Kong with upper respiratory symptoms will be sent to the test centres at the AsiaWorld-Expo or the North Lantau Hospital for the viral test and to wait for the laboratory results.
 
     The HA spokesperson said, “HA will deploy healthcare staff to the temporary test centres to collect and arrange the specimens to the hospital laboratories for testing in batches.”
 
     “People awaiting the test results will need to stay at the temporary test centre. It is estimated that it will take about half a day to a day to arrange the delivery and tests of specimens in batches.”
      
     Both test centres have designated waiting areas and individual waiting places, and will provide Internet access and charging facilities. The waiting area facilities and arrangements are in compliance with infection control standards.
      
     Healthcare staff will arrange the transfer of patients with positive test results to public hospitals for isolation and treatment. As for those who have negative test results, they can return to their residence and continue their home quarantine for 14 days.
      
     The spokesman added, “generally speaking, older people or those who may have other medical needs will be sent to the test centre at North Lantau Hospital. People arriving Hong Kong may also be sent directly to other public hospitals for their clinical condition.” read more

     The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, visited Hong Kong International Airport this afternoon (March 19) to inspect the implementation of compulsory quarantine measures for all persons arriving from overseas countries and territories starting from 0.00am today. She also encouraged personnel of the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AA) and various departments including the Department of Health’s Port Health Division and the Immigration Department, thanking them for sparing no effort in enforcing relevant quarantine measures to protect Hong Kong and people’s health.
 
     Accompanied by the Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan, and the Chief Executive Officer of the AA, Mr Fred Lam, Mrs Lam learned about the workflow of implementing mandatory quarantine for people arriving in Hong Kong at the airport, including body temperature checks and collection of health declaration forms, issuing quarantine orders and helping arriving passengers put on electronic wristbands to ensure they stay at their dwelling places while under quarantine, and distributing information packs to introduce to them the procedures of a quarantine order and other points to note. Some people arriving in Hong Kong were also given a specimen container for participation in the Enhanced Laboratory Surveillance Programme.
 
     Given the proliferation of the disease around the world, the number of imported cases has increased significantly and there have been a number of cases involving reports of symptoms in travellers on arrival in recent days. To minimise the risk of the spread of the virus in the local community and alleviate the pressure on the hospitals of the Hospital Authority (HA), the HA, on the instruction of the Steering Committee in relation to the COVID-19 virus, is preparing for the establishment of test centres at AsiaWorld–Expo and North Lantau Hospital, to which some of the travellers will be diverted for collection of specimens for viral tests. After leaving the airport, Mrs Lam also visited AsiaWorld–Expo and North Lantau Hospital to find out more on the preparation work by the HA for the establishment of the test centres, which she noted will be in operation shortly. The Chairman of the HA, Mr Henry Fan, and the Chief Executive Officer of the HA, Dr Tony Ko, also joined the visit.
      
     Noting that the overall operation of the expansion of the coverage of compulsory quarantine at the airport on its first day had been generally smooth, Mrs Lam expressed gratitude to the Department of Health, the Immigration Department, the AA and relevant personnel for their hard work. She also thanked the affected travellers for their co-operation and understanding. While pointing out that although the overall number of arrivals today has dropped, she said that many people including overseas students are expected to return to Hong Kong in the coming one or two weeks and that the Government will do its utmost in making arrangements for compulsory quarantine to prevent the disease from spreading in the community. She added that the Steering Committee has requested the Department of Health to enhance the capacity of virus tests and consider setting up a test centre at the AsiaWorld-Expo as well.
      
     “In light of the number of confirmed cases in recent days, the threat of transmission of the virus into Hong Kong from overseas is huge. I appeal to all the people under quarantine to abide strictly with the requirements of the quarantine order by not going out for 14 days. Otherwise, there will be legal responsibility. They should also pay attention to personal hygiene during home quarantine and remain vigilant to minimise contacts with family members in order to reduce the risk of transmission of the virus. As long as we stay united, Hong Kong will definitely win the battle against the epidemic,” Mrs Lam said.

                  

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:            The spokesperson for the Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) made the following announcement today (March 19):    &nbsp… read more

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) announced that as of 4pm today (March 19), the CHP is investigating 16 additional confirmed cases of COVID-19, taking the number of cases to 209 in Hong Kong so far (comprising 208 confirmed cases and one probable 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. 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.
 
     Today’s cases involve 11 males and five females aged between 19 and 51. Among them, 14 had travel history during the incubation period / are classified as imported cases. For case details, please see Annex I. The CHP’s epidemiological investigations and relevant contact tracing on the confirmed cases are ongoing. For the progress on the contact tracing of the cases, please see Annex II.
 
     For information on flights that patients of the confirmed cases have taken, please refer to the following website: (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 hotline.
 
        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 spokesman said, “The CHP 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 yesterday, a total of 39 506 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. read more

     Hong Kong Customs seized about 600 grams of suspected cocaine with an estimated market value of about $700,000 from a female passenger arriving at Hong Kong International Airport yesterday (March 18).

     A 52-year-old female passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and Manila, Philippines yesterday. She was found to be suspicious upon customs clearance and was suspected to have dangerous drugs concealed inside her body cavities. She was then escorted to hospital for examination and later discharged the batch of suspected cocaine. She was arrested.

     The arrested woman has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. The case will be brought up at Fanling Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (March 20).

     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).