Tag Archives: China

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) announced that as of 8pm today (February 9), the CHP is investigating 10 additional cases of novel coronavirus infection, taking to 36 the number of confirmed cases so far in Hong Kong.
 
     The first case involves a 24-year-old man with good past health who lives in Hung Fook Mansion, 356-362 Lockhart Road, Wan Chai. He developed fever and cough since January 30 and sought medical attention from a private doctor on the same day. He consulted another private doctor on February 4 and sought treatment at St Paul’s Hospital’s Outpatient Department on February 6. He then sought medical attention at the Accident and Emergency Department at Ruttonjee Hospital and was admitted for isolation and management on February 8. His respiratory sample was tested positive for novel coronavirus. He is in stable condition.
 
     Based on the epidemiological investigations of this case, the CHP has traced and confirmed eight more cases of novel coronavirus infection today (which are cases 3 to 10 today), involving three family clusters. They are all family members and relatives of the first case.
      
     The first family cluster included the male patient’s father (68-year-old), mother (57-year-old) and maternal grandmother (91-year-old). The second family cluster included the third younger sister (51-year-old) of the male patient’s mother and the male patient’s cousins (25-year-old female and 22-year-old male). The third family cluster included the fourth younger sister (50-year-old) of the male patient’s mother and the male patient’s cousin (23-year-old male). Their respiratory samples were all tested positive for novel coronavirus, and they were admitted for isolation and management at Ruttonjee Hospital and Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital respectively.
 
    According to the 24-year-old patient’s information, he had no travel history during the incubation period. On January 26, he had hot pot with 18 relatives, including the above 8 confirmed cases, at Lento Party Room in Kwun Tong. Among them, two more have shown symptoms and are currently hospitalised in Prince of Wales Hospital for treatment. Relevant epidemiological investigations and contact tracing are ongoing.
 
     The second case involves a 70-year-old man with underlying illnesses who resides in Choi Fung Court in Ngau Chi Wan. He developed cough, chills and shortness of breath since January 30 and diarrhoea since February 1. He had consulted two private doctors during the period from February 1 to February 7 and attended the United Christian Hospital on February 8 for persistent chills and shortness of breath where he was admitted for isolation and management. His respiratory sample was tested positive for novel coronavirus. He is now in a stable condition.
 
      According to the patient’s information, he had no travel history during the incubation period and mainly stayed at his home and his son’s home at the same building. His close contacts, namely his wife, son, daughter-in-law, grandson, granddaughter and domestic helper are asymptomatic and quarantine will be arranged.
 
     A spokesman for the CHP said, “According to our preliminary epidemiological investigations, some of the confirmed cases are believed to be locally infected. The CHP strongly urged 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.”
 
     The spokesman said, “On the 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. The public should go out less and reduce social activities, and maintain appropriate social distance with other people as far as possible.”
 
     “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); 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, Health Bureau of Macao.
 
     The CHP’s epidemiological investigations and relevant contact tracing on the confirmed cases are ongoing. The CHP is also closely monitoring and following up on the contact tracing of relevant confirmed cases in the Mainland and overseas. Quarantine will be arranged for close contacts while medical surveillance will be arranged for other contacts. For the progress on the contact tracing of the cases, please see annex.
 
     The CHP has set up a hotline (2125 1122) for public enquiries. The hotline operates from 8am to midnight daily. As at 4pm today, a total of 8 825 calls were received.
 
      A dedicated webpage (www.gov.hk/ncv) has been set up by the CHP. Information including the latest local situation, list of buildings and list of flights/trains/ships relevant to the confirmed cases, countries/areas with reported cases as well as health advice and a “Novel Coronavirus Infection Local Situation Interactive Map Dashboard” are available on the webpage to help the public grasp 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;
• 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.
 
     The public should take heed of the health advice below when travelling outside Hong Kong:
 
• Do not travel to Hubei Province where community transmission of novel coronavirus is occurring;
• Avoid close contact with persons with fever or respiratory symptoms in countries/areas with possible community transmission of novel coronavirus infection. If it is unavoidable to come into contact with them, put on a surgical mask and continue to do so until 14 days after returning to Hong Kong;
• Avoid visiting hospitals. If it is necessary to visit a hospital, put on a surgical mask and observe strict personal and hand hygiene;
• Avoid touching animals (including game), poultry/birds or their droppings;
• Avoid visiting wet markets, live poultry markets or farms;
• Avoid making close contact with patients, especially those with symptoms of acute respiratory infections;
• Do not consume game meat and do not patronise food premises where game meat is served;
• Adhere to food safety and hygiene rules such as avoiding consuming raw or undercooked animal products, including milk, eggs and meat, or foods which may be contaminated by animal secretions, excretions (such as urine) or contaminated products, unless they have been properly cooked, washed or peeled;
• If feeling unwell when outside Hong Kong, especially if experiencing a fever or cough, wear a surgical mask, inform the hotel staff or tour escort and seek medical advice at once; and
• After returning to Hong Kong, consult a doctor promptly if experiencing a fever or other symptoms, take the initiative to inform the doctor of any recent travel history and any exposure to animals, and wear a surgical mask to help prevent spread of the disease. read more

     Regarding the incident of Hong Kong residents quarantined for novel coronavirus on a cruise in Japan, the Hong Kong Immigration Department (ImmD) and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Tokyo (HKETO) endeavour to provide practical assistance to the affected Hong Kong residents.

     After learning the incident in early February, ImmD and HKETO immediately contacted the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (OCMFA), the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Japan (Embassy), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (MFA of Japan), Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong (TIC) and the cruise company concerned to understand the situation. 

     According to the information provided by the cruise company, there are 260 Hong Kong residents on board the cruise. Among them, three Hong Kong residents are confirmed to have infected with the novel coronavirus and are receiving medical treatment at local hospital. The remaining are quarantined on board starting from February 5 for 14 days.

     ImmD has received requests for assistance from the onboard Hong Kong residents who made requests including an early return and medication. For the concern of medication, ImmD has promptly reflected the situation and requests of the onboard Hong Kong residents to the cruise company and duty doctor. ImmD has also, through the embassy and HKETO, requested the authorities concerned in Japan to provide medication and assistance. Meanwhile, ImmD has liaised with the Hospital Authority and the Department of Health of Hong Kong to understand the latest situation. As informed by the cruise company, some affected Hong Kong residents have been issued with the required medication while others will be issued at a later time. Regarding the incident, ImmD will deploy officer(s) to Japan to liaise with relevant parties for ensuring the affected Hong Kong residents to obtain assistance.

     Besides, ImmD and HKETO will understand the return arrangement of those affected Hong Kong residents after their quarantine completed on February 19, so as to provide further assistance.

     ImmD and HKETO will maintain close contact with OCMFA, the Embassy, the MFA of Japan, TIC and the cruise company to monitor the situation, and render suitable and practicable assistance according to the wishes of the affected Hong Kong residents.

     Hong Kong residents travelling outside Hong Kong who need assistance may call the 24-hour hotline of the Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit of the Immigration Department at (852) 1868. read more

     â€‹Hong Kong Customs detected three cases of drug trafficking by passengers yesterday (February 8) and today (February 9) at Hong Kong International Airport. About six kilograms of suspected methamphetamine and about four kilograms of suspected cocaine with an estimated market value of about $8.9 million were seized in total.

     A male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Phnom Penh, Cambodia yesterday. During customs clearance, about 6kg of suspected methamphetamine were found concealed inside six packages of food products in his checked-in suitcase. On the other hand, a female passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Sao Paulo, Brazil via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and Manila, the Philippines yesterday. During customs clearance, about 2kg of suspected cocaine were found concealed inside the brassiere worn by her. The two passengers were then arrested.

     Also, a male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Johannesburg, South Africa today. During customs clearance, about 1.6kg of suspected cocaine were found concealed inside the false compartments of the shoes worn by him. He was also suspected to have dangerous drugs concealed inside his body cavities, therefore he was escorted to hospital for examination and later discharged about 490 grams of suspected cocaine. He was then arrested.

     The man involved in the case of trafficking in suspected methamphetamine has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. The case will be brought up at West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (February 10). 

     Investigations of the two other cases of trafficking in suspected cocaine are ongoing.

     Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.

     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).

      

     A spokesman for the Government today (February 9) said, with the developments and changes of the novel coronavirus infection, it is necessary for the Government to ensure sufficient quarantine facilities for combatting the disease.

     Currently, the occupancy of three quarantine centres, namely the MacLehose Holiday Village, the Lei Yue Mun Park and Holiday Village and Po Leung Kuk Jockey Club Pak Tam Chung Holiday Camp, has reached their maximum capacity. The Government is actively preparing to convert the Heritage Lodge of the Jao Tsung-I Academy into the fourth quarantine centre.

     Regarding the plan to use Chun Yeung Estate as a quarantine centre, closely followed by meeting with the residents in the neighbourhood yesterday afternoon to explain the relevant use, representatives from the Food and Health Bureau (FHB), the Department of Health and the Housing Department today briefed the members of the Sha Tin District Council about the arrangement of the quarantine centre.

     Moreover, representatives from the FHB earlier attended the Sham Shui Po District Council meeting on February 5 to explain the use of the Jao Tsung-I Academy as a quarantine centre and listened to their views.

     When searching for the sites, the Government has thoroughly considered whether the facilities meet the requirements for a quarantine centre including location, overall facilities and infrastructure, environment, the possible impact to the residents nearby, as well as the time required for its operation. It will also ensure that the operation of the quarantine centres meets the stringent requirements.

     Security and healthcare staff will be on duty round the clock in the quarantine centres. Transfer service for leaving and entering the centres will be provided to people under quarantine, who will not take part in any community activities. Entry into and departure from the quarantine centres are not allowed without written permission of health personnel.

     According to the prevailing measures, patients confirmed to have been infected with or suspected to be infected by the novel coronavirus will be admitted to hospitals for isolation and treatment. Whether being arranged to stay at quarantine centres or to be put under compulsory home quarantine, they are not confirmed or suspected cases. They are close contacts of confirmed cases or those have been to Hubei Province in the past 14 days, and without any symptoms.

     In order to prevent the transmission of the disease in the community with a view to achieving the highest effectiveness of the compulsory quarantine measures, the co-operation of the whole community is indispensable, the spokesman added. The setting up of quarantine centres not only protects those under quarantine, but also safeguards everybody’s health. Thus, it is hoped that the whole community can fight the disease together.

     Regarding some District Council members not allowing participating Government officers to leave after the end of the around four-hour meeting today, the spokesman expressed regret and reiterated the importance of rational discussion.    read more

     The Government today (February 9) announced that the Public Health Laboratory Services Branch of the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) had completed tests on the novel coronavirus for over 1 800 crew members on the World Dream cruise. All samples tested negative for the novel coronavirus.
 
     The Port Health Division of the DH has completed health quarantine work on the World Dream cruise and all people on board can disembark. The Government will facilitate immigration procedures for passengers. The cruise company will arrange passengers to disembark in an orderly manner and will provide them with a shuttle bus service.
 
     The Government expresses appreciation to passengers and crew members for their understanding and patience during the past few days, and to the cruise company for its cooperation with the Government in implementing preventive and control measures. The Government also expresses gratitude to colleagues for joining hands in safeguarding public health, including those who are responsible for health quarantine work in the frontline, those conducting tests in laboratories, and those providing logistics support.
 
     A spokesperson for the Government reiterated that, “In view of the spread of the novel coronavirus infection in the community, public health is our utmost priority. As some travellers who took the World Dream cruise were earlier confirmed to have been infected with the novel coronavirus, some crew members might have had direct contact with them. Upon relevant experts’ advice, the CHP decided to conduct tests on crew members with a view to protecting the health of passengers. The purpose of the tests is to exclude that they are infected and thus will not pose health threats to the passengers.”
 
     To prevent pneumonia and respiratory tract infection, members of the public returning to Hong Kong 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 performing hand hygiene before wearing and after removing a mask;
• Perform hand hygiene frequently, especially before touching one’s mouth, nose or eyes; before eating; after using the toilet; 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 litre of water into each drain outlet (U-traps) to ensure environmental hygiene;
• 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;
• 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; and
• After returning to Hong Kong, consult a doctor promptly if experiencing a fever or other symptoms, take the initiative to inform the doctor of any recent travel history and any exposure to animals, and wear a surgical mask to help prevent the spread of the disease.