The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
 
     The Hospital Authority (HA) today (January 25) announced the activation of Emergency Response Level in public hospitals to tie in with the Government raising the response level from "Serious" to "Emergency" in response to the latest situation of Novel Coronavirus.  A series of special measures will be implemented to enhance infection control measures, and to focus the resources to cope with the situation of Novel Coronavirus.
 
     The HA Central Command Committee and HA Central Committee on Infectious Disease and Emergency Responses have separately convened meetings today and have decided to implement the following measures:
 
1.  Visiting arrangement will be suspended in all public hospitals, while compassionate arrangement will be made for clinical consideration;
 
2.  All persons entering public hospitals and clinics are required to put on surgical masks;
 
3.  Volunteer services and clinical attachment will be suspended in public hospitals;
 
4.  All hospital clusters will review their non-emergency services with a view to adjust the service and focus the resources to cope with the situation of Novel Coronavirus.
 
     The HA 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 Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for Tuen Mun Hospital (TMH) made the following announcement today (January 25) regarding the treatment process of a patient infected with novel coronavirus:
 
     The 62-year-old female patient went to TMH for consultation at about 8.30pm on January 23, accompanied by her daughter and son-in-law. The triage nurse enquired about her medical and travel history.  Given a travel history of Wuhan and fever, the nurse then arranged the patient and companions to wait for doctor’s consultation in the area nearby dedicated to handling patients suspected of infectious disease.
 
     A doctor consulted the patient at around 10pm.  There were two other patients, who were suspected of infectious disease, occupying the negative pressure isolation room and another consultation room with separate ventilation system in the Accident and Emergency Department at that time.  The duty staff then arranged the family of three to the trauma room for further clinical assessment.   Upon clinical assessment, the patient was required to be admitted to a negative pressure isolation ward at 12 midnight.
 
     TMH was notified by the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) on January 24 that the patient was confirmed to be infected with novel coronavirus. The patient was transferred to the Hospital Authority Infectious Disease Centre in Princess Margaret Hospital for hospitalisation. Her accompanying daughter and son-in-law were regarded as close contacts by the CHP and currently under quarantine at the isolation camp.
 
     The Hospital Infection Control Officer also followed up and reviewed the patient treatment process.  It was noted that the trauma room in which the patient received consultation was not a negative pressure room, while the female patient was confirmed to have worn a surgical mask throughout the consultation.  In addition, the Accident and Emergency staff who came into contact with the patient concerned were equipped with appropriate personal protective equipment.
 
     Trauma rooms are generally used to handle major trauma cases, for example, traffic accident injuries. The trauma room is not a negative pressure room while the door is closed most of the time.  There is an x-ray patient waiting area outside the trauma room.
 
     The Hospital Authority (HA) and TMH are very concerned about the incident. The HA Chief Infection Control Officer and experts from the CHP joined the hospital at a meeting to conduct risk assessment of the incident. They concurred that since the door of the concerned trauma room was closed most of the time, people staying in the x-ray patient waiting area should not be at high risk of infection.  After the risk assessment of all those who have passed by or stayed in the area, 11 patients and a male security guard were identified as close contacts and required to be quarantined. The patients included four men and seven women (aged 18 to 88). Five of them were still hospitalised in TMH for treatment under isolation. The remaining patients and their accompanying persons will be followed up by the CHP.
 
     Regarding environmental hygiene, the Accident and Emergency Department of TMH performs routine cleansing and disinfection every day.  Cleansing will also be performed for the trauma room after use every time in accordance with the prevailing procedure.
 
     The incident has been reported to HA Head Office and the CHP.  The hospital apologised for not arranging the patient in a negative pressure room for consultation, causing other people on site being exposed to infection risks.  The hospital would remind staff about the infection control guidelines and arrangements for to prevent a recurrence of the incident.
 
     TMH will continue to closely work with CHP to follow up with the condition of the patients.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is today (January 25) continuing its investigations on the five imported cases of novel coronavirus infection. The public is again urged to maintain strict personal, food and environmental hygiene both locally and during travel.
 
     The CHP is continuing its epidemiological investigations and relevant contact tracing of the five confirmed imported cases in Hong Kong. As at 4pm today, the progress on the contact tracing of cases is as below:
 

 
     Quarantine will be arranged for close contacts while medical surveillance will be arranged for other contacts. The Lady MacLehose Holiday Village under the Leisure and Cultural Services Department has been converted as quarantine centre and close contacts would be transferred to the village for quarantine.
 
     Meanwhile, the CHP continues to closely monitor the overseas confirmed case of novel coronavirus infection announced yesterday involving a patient who boarded the flight KA853 on January 19 from Wuhan to Hong Kong for transit and departed on CX500 on the same day after onset of symptoms. Contact tracing is continuing and four close contacts have been contacted who will be taken to the Lady MacLehose Holiday Village for quarantine.
 
     The CHP is also closely monitoring two close contacts in Hong Kong who are relatives of a confirmed case of novel coronavirus infection in Huizhou. They have remained asymptomatic and will be taken to the Lady MacLehose Holiday Village for quarantine. The CHP has reported to the Health Commission of Guangdong Province.
 
     The CHP has set up a hotline (2125 1122) for the cases, which operates from 8am to 9pm daily to answer public enquiries. As at 4pm today, a total of 362 calls were received.

     A dedicated webpage (www.chp.gov.hk/en/features/102465.html) has been set up by the CHP to provide relevant information and health advice on Severe Respiratory Disease associated with a Novel Infectious Agent. Information of the latest notifications received from the Mainland and overseas will be updated to the CHP website (www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/statistics_of_the_cases_novel_coronavirus_infection_en.pdf) daily at 9am and 6pm to help the public grasp information on the affected countries/areas.
 
     A spokesman for the CHP said, "The CHP will continue to maintain its liaison with the National Health Commission, the World Health Organization and the relevant health authorities, and closely monitor the situation for risk assessment."
 
     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;
• 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. If it is unavoidable to travel to such places, put on a surgical mask and continue to do so until 14 days after returning to Hong Kong;
•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.

     The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (January 25) collected an estimated total of 122 tonnes of refuse at 15 Lunar New Year (LNY) Fair sites throughout Hong Kong, among which some 14 tonnes were collected at the Victoria Park LNY Fair.
 
     A spokesman for the FEHD said that the department continued its collaboration with the Environmental Campaign Committee and the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) to organise "Green LNY Fairs" this year. In addition to the collection of general recyclables including waste paper, plastics and metals, collection of other recyclable items also continued in all 15 LNY Fair sites to cover bamboo sticks, wooden pallets, polyfoam and wilted or unsold flowers. To enhance recycling of resources, food waste at nine LNY Fair sites with fast food stalls were also collected.
 
     About 57 tonnes of bamboo sticks, three tonnes of wooden pallets, 14 tonnes of wilted or unsold flowers as well as one tonne of food waste were collected while the quantities of polyfoam collected are being verified. The EPD will make arrangement for putting all recyclables to their best use through recycling or donation to other organisations and members of the public.  Meanwhile, a total of 1218 pots of flowers and plants gathered in the fairs were delivered to 197 elderly homes/residential care homes for persons with disabilities and eight public hospitals today by 22 volunteer teams made up of FEHD staff.
 
     The department deployed 201 staff members, 33 refuse collection vehicles and street cleaning vehicles to clean up the Victoria Park venue. The other 14 LNY Fair sites were cleaned up by the department's cleansing contractors. All site clearance work was completed at about 5pm. After thorough cleansing, the venues were restored to their original state.

      

     The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, held a press conference on measures of fighting disease with the Chair Professor of Public Health Medicine, and Founding Director of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Control at the University of Hong Kong, Professor Gabriel Leung; the Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan; the Director of Health, Dr Constance Chan; the Chief Executive of the Hospital Authority, Dr Tony Ko; and the Secretary for Education, Mr Kevin Yeung, today (January 25) at the Central Government Offices, Tamar. Following is the English translation of the opening remarks by Mr Yeung at the press conference:

     In view of an increase in the number of confirmed and suspected Novel Coronavirus infection cases and the increasing risk of the spread of the virus in crowded environment in a short period of time when people travel abroad and visit relatives during the Chinese New Year holidays, the Education Bureau (EDB) today announced that all schools (including kindergartens, primary schools, secondary schools and special schools) will extend their Chinese New Year holidays to February 16 (i.e. class resumption on February 17) to safeguard students' health. During the period, we will continue to assess the situation. We have also contacted universities and tertiary institutions to ask them to consider extending the date of class resumption.

     During the original scheduled school days, schools should keep their premises open. They should arrange suitable number of staff to be on duty to look after students who have to go back to school otherwise they would be unattended at home, and handle school affairs and parents' enquiries. Schools should also cancel the scheduled examinations, tests and activities and make appropriate re-arrangements. Parents and students should be informed accordingly.　 

     We call on students to stay at home as far as possible during the extended period of school holidays. Schools can provide learning materials to students through emails, school homepages and other effective means, including online resources from Hong Kong Education City and other educational websites to facilitate students' self-learning at home. 

     We call on parents to enhance home-school co-operation and take proper care of their children, pay more attention to environmental and personal hygiene, and avoid allowing their children to go to overcrowded places so as to reduce the risk of infection. 

     Schools are also advised to make good preparation for class resumption during this period, eg preparing for cleaning and disinfection items to cater for the needs of individual students. In addition, schools should thoroughly clean the premises to ensure a clean and hygienic environment, as well as strengthening health education. 

     As regards the arrangements for the provision of a student grant of $2,500 to day-school students in the 2019/20 school year, schools are originally requested to submit the application forms completed by parents on or before February 14. As some schools may not be able to collect the forms on time, we will extend the deadline for submission by two weeks to February 28. 

     Since the epidemic outbreak in Wuhan and other cities on the Mainland is still developing, we have suspended and postponed students' exchange programmes on the Mainland. We have also called on tertiary institutions to make similar arrangements for internship and exchange activities.  

     The EDB will continue to maintain close liaison with relevant government departments including the Centre for Health Protection, inform schools of the latest information and relevant measures on infectious diseases, and provide necessary support to schools.