A man who went missing in Tsuen Wan has been located.

     Ho Chak-yin, aged 90, went missing after he left his residence in Lei Muk Shue Estate yesterday (February 10) afternoon. His family made a report to Police on the same day.

     The man returned to his residence today (February 11). He sustained no injuries and no suspicious circumstances were detected.
 

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
 
     As at noon today (February 11), public hospitals had reported to the Department of Health the admission of 52 patients (25 male and 27 female, aged 20 months to 79 years) in the past 24 hours who met the reporting criteria of severe respiratory disease associated with a novel infectious agent. Specimens of the patients concerned have been sent for testing. There are still 117 patients under isolation.
      
     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.

     In response to the views expressed by some members of the welfare sector recently on the arrangements for welfare services subsidised by the Social Welfare Department (SWD) having regard to the latest developments of the spread of the novel coronavirus, a spokesperson for the SWD gave the following response today (February 11):
      
     The SWD understands the difficulties being faced by the welfare sector, and has been closely monitoring the operation of subsidised welfare services. While ensuring that essential and urgent services are maintained, the SWD has from time to time adjusted the scale of operation of subsidised welfare facilities by reducing the scale of or suspending certain services in order to reduce the risk of infection arising from the gatherings of people. 
      
     In the light of developments, the SWD issued a number of press releases earlier to announce special arrangements for subsidised welfare services including service suspension or provision of limited services for certain centres and suspension of groups and programmes. The SWD has kept the non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and service units concerned informed of the arrangements. In the press release issued by the SWD on February 7, the department further announced that more day centre facilities would not be open to the public. The SWD will continue to announce changes to service arrangements in the light of the latest developments. 
      
     Regarding the SWD's services, alternative means of providing services, such as by way of drop-in boxes, audio/video calls, have been adopted to replace face-to-face contacts wherever possible. It is understood that many NGOs are adopting similar approaches. In view of the impact caused by the epidemic, the SWD will exercise flexibility on individual service units’ attainment of service requirements under the relevant Funding and Service Agreements.
      
     Regarding the provision of resources, the SWD provided the first tranche of grants in late January for day and residential service units to procure sanitary and personal protective items. The second tranche of grants was provided yesterday (February 10) for the same purpose. In addition, the department is considering to provide funding for relevant residential homes and home-based service units, which face manpower difficulties arising from the quarantine arrangements required of some of their regular staff, to hire relief workers or pay overtime allowances.
      
     Regarding sanitary and personal protective items, the Government and different quarters in the community are procuring from different sources and producing locally to increase supply, and the department helps donors to distribute donations in accordance with their wishes.
      
     The SWD is grateful to all welfare sector colleagues for holding the fort during this very difficult time. The department will continue to provide support in different ways to the best of its abilities.

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

     Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at suitable intervals:

     The Marine Department today (February 11) reminded masters, coxswains and persons-in-charge of vessels navigating in Hong Kong waters to proceed at a safe speed and exercise extreme caution because restricted visibility of less than 2 nautical miles has been reported.

     Appropriate sound signals shall be made when underway or at anchor. All vessels must comply with the International Regulations for Preventing Collision at Sea.

     Also, when radar is used without the benefit of adequate plotting facilities, the information obtained from the equipment is rather limited and should be construed accordingly.

     Visibility reports are broadcast by the Vessel Traffic Centre (VTC) on VHF channels 02, 12, 14, 63 and 67.

     In the event of an accident, a report shall be made immediately to the VTC at Tel: 2233 7801.

     The Government Property Agency (GPA) today (February 11) awarded six new property management services contracts following an open tender. The new contracts will commence on April 1, 2020, and be valid for four years. 

     The six contracts will cover government office buildings and quarters developments managed by the GPA in respect of six areas on Hong Kong Island, in Kowloon and in the New Territories. The total contract sum of the six new contracts is around $1,646 million. 

     The new contracts have specified the service requirements and levels that shall be achieved by the contractors. The list of contractors awarded the new contracts is available at the GPA's website: www.gpa.gov.hk.