The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     As at noon today (February 25), public hospitals had reported to the Department of Health the admission of 32 patients (14 male and 18 female, aged seven to 100) in the past 24 hours who met the reporting criteria of COVID-19. Appropriate tests have been arranged for the patients.
 
     There are 103 patients under isolation currently. So far, 18 patients with the COVID-19 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.
 

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
 
     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to a press release issued by Bank of Singapore Limited on suspicious mobile application (App), which has been reported to the HKMA. Hyperlink to the press release is available on the HKMA website for ease of reference by members of the public.
 
     Anyone who has provided his or her personal information to the App concerned or has conducted any financial transactions through the App should contact the bank concerned using the contact information provided in the press release, and report to the Police or contact the Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012.

     â€‹Hong Kong Customs seized about 18 kilograms of suspected cocaine with an estimated market value of about $19 million during an anti-narcotics operation conducted in Sha Tin on February 23. 

     During the operation that night, Customs officers intercepted a suspicious man and found the batch of suspected cocaine inside the suitcase he was carrying. The 23-year-old man was then arrested. 

     The arrested man has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. He will appear at Eastern Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (February 26).

     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 following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
 
     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to a press release issued by Tai Yau Bank, Limited on fraudulent website, which has been reported to the HKMA. Hyperlink to the press release is available on the HKMA website for ease of reference by members of the public.
 
     Anyone who has provided his or her personal information to the website concerned or has conducted any financial transactions through the website should contact the bank concerned using the contact information provided in the press release, and report to the Police or contact the Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012.

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
 
     The Legislative Council (LegCo) Public Works Subcommittee will hold a meeting at 8.30am tomorrow (February 26) in Conference Room 1 of the LegCo Complex.
 
     The LegCo Finance Committee (FC) will hold a meeting at 11am on Thursday (February 27) in Conference Room 1 of the LegCo Complex. During the meeting, FC members will receive a briefing by the Financial Secretary and the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury on the 2020-2021 Budget.
 
     Meanwhile, FC will hold a meeting from 10am to 1pm and 2.30pm to 7pm on Friday (February 28) in Conference Room 1 of the LegCo Complex.