The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority: During the winter surge, the Hospital Authority (HA) is closely monitoring the service demand of Accident and Emergency Departments and the occupancy rates in publ… read more
The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, met with various political and business leaders on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland yesterday (January 22, Davos time). He updated them on the latest developments in Hong Kong and impressed upon them that Hong Kong’s institutional strengths remain intact despite the unprecedented challenges that it has been facing.
Hong Kong is a free and open society as well as a highly competitive international business and financial hub. Hong Kong remains a safe and secure city for business travelers and holiday makers, Mr Yau stressed in various meetings.
In the morning, Mr Yau met with the Secretary of Trade and Industry of the Philippines, Mr Ramon Lopez; the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment of Indonesia, Mr Luhut Pandjaitan; and the Minister for Finance of Australia, Mr Mathias Cormann.
Mr Yau said that Hong Kong, with its advantage of “one country, two systems”, its excellent environment for doing business and quality professional services, is well-positioned to help overseas enterprises tap into the Mainland market and grasp the opportunities brought about by the Belt and Road Initiative. He said he hopes that there will be more exchanges and business collaborations between Hong Kong and the three countries.
Noting that the Hong Kong-Australia Free Trade Agreement and Investment Agreement entered into force last Friday (January 17), Mr Yau said the agreements marked a significant milestone in Australia’s and Hong Kong’s already substantial trade and investment relationship. He added that the agreements deliver a guarantee to Australian business that Hong Kong’s relatively open services and investment regime will continue. Australian investment in Hong Kong totalled AUD$52 billion as at end-2018.
Mr Yau then met with the Governor of the Bank of Thailand, Dr Veerathai Santiprabhob, to exchange views on mutual concerns. They discussed how the memorandum of understanding on strengthening economic relations signed between the two places in November last year can bring further economic opportunities and connectivity.
Mr Yau also joined the Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, in meeting with the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, Ms Kristalina Georgieva; the Chief Strategic Advisor to the UK Prime Minister, Sir Edward Lister; the Chairman of the Japan External Trade Organization, Mr Nobuhiko Sasaki; and the Chairman of Vista Equity Partners, Mr Robert Smith.
In the evening, Mr Yau attended a dinner organised by the Credit Suisse Group for WEF guests and Japan Night.
During the day, Mr Yau also gave interviews to international media organisations to address their questions on Hong Kong’s latest developments.
Mr Yau will continue his visit in Davos today (January 23, Davos time).
The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, today (January 22, Davos time) attended the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland. She met the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Chief Strategic Advisor to the UK Prime Minister and a number of leaders from such sectors as finance, insurance and investment to update them on Hong Kong’s latest social situation and measures taken by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, as well as promote Hong Kong’s advantages.
In the afternoon, Mrs Lam attended an open dialogue session of the WEF and discussed with the host topics including Hong Kong’s social situation in recent months and constitutional development. In particular, she highlighted the importance of understanding accurately and implementing fully “One Country, Two Systems” as well as upholding the rule of law to the future of Hong Kong. On measures taken by the HKSAR Government in response to the novel coronavirus, Mrs Lam pointed out in the dialogue that given there is a highly suspected case in Hong Kong, the city will immediately and strictly implement measures planned beforehand and continue to update the public the latest situation.
Mrs Lam, accompanied by the Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Mr Edward Yau, met the Managing Director of the IMF, Ms Kristalina Georgieva, in the morning. Mrs Lam congratulated Ms Georgieva on her appointment as the IMF Managing Director in October last year and said that Hong Kong will continue to work closely with the IMF on promoting international monetary co-operation and maintaining financial stability. She specially thanked the IMF for its report issued last month, which reaffirmed that Hong Kong’s prudent policies and ample buffers would enable the city to meet economic challenges and maintain financial stability. They also exchanged views on the global economic outlook and challenges faced by different regions.
Mrs Lam and Mr Yau also met the Chief Strategic Advisor to the UK Prime Minister, Sir Edward Lister, in the afternoon. She updated him on the latest situation of Hong Kong and said that with the clearer situation in Brexit, the governments of the two places may expedite the bilateral co-operations in finance and other aspects.
During the day, Mrs Lam met separately a number of leaders from various sectors, including the Chairman of the Japan External Trade Organization, Mr Nobuhiko Sasaki; the Chairman of Prudential, Mr Paul Manduca; the Chairman of the Julius Baer Group, Mr Romeo Lacher, and the Chief Executive Officer of Julius Baer, Mr Philipp Rickenbacher; and the Chairman of Vista Equity Partners, Mr Robert Smith. Mrs Lam exchanged views with them on such areas as the global economic landscape, development of the financial and monetary markets and fintech. She also reiterated that the recent social incidents had not eroded Hong Kong’s strengths and said she hopes they would continue to hold confidence in Hong Kong.
In the evening, Mrs Lam attended an event organised by a Hong Kong enterprise on connecting the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Addressing the event, Mrs Lam spoke on how Hong Kong, with the strong support from the Central Government, participates actively in the development of the Greater Bay Area and strengthens its links with ASEAN member states. Afterwards, she and Mr Yau attended a dinner organised by the Credit Suisse Group for WEF guests.
Mrs Lam will continue her visit to Davos tomorrow (January 23, Davos time).
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is today (January 23) investigating the second highly suspected imported case of novel coronavirus infection. The public is again urged to maintain strict personal, food and environmental hygiene both locally and during travel.
The case involved a 56-year-old male who is a Hong Kong resident with good past health. He travelled to Wuhan on January 10 and took the flight (Air China flight CA8279) from Wuhan to Shenzhen on January 19 and then returned to Hong Kong via Lo Wu Control Point by MTR on the same day by himself. He developed fever since January 18 but reported to have no respiratory symptoms. The patient sought medical attention at the Accident and Emergency Department (A&ED) at Prince of Wales Hospital (PWH) on January 19 and hospitalisation was not required. He re-visited the PWH’s A&ED for follow-up on January 21 and was admitted for isolation and management by the hospital as his fever did not subside. He is now in stable condition and was transferred to Princess Margaret Hospital for isolation and management today.
The patient’s respiratory samples were preliminarily tested positive for novel coronavirus.
The CHP has immediately commenced epidemiological investigations and conducted relevant contact tracing. According to the patient, he neither visited any health care facilities, wet market or seafood market during the incubation period, nor had any exposure to wild animals or poultry or contact with patients with symptoms of pneumonia or upper respiratory tract infection.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the patient lives with his wife at Oceanaire in Ma On Shan. He travelled to Wuhan from January 10 to 19 to visit his parents. His parents and wife have remained asymptomatic so far. The patient also resided in Alva Hotel by Royal in Sha Tin on January 20.
Contact tracing by the CHP is ongoing and relevant authorities and management office have been advised to carry out cleansing and disinfection. Patient’s wife, taxi drivers who drove the patient and passengers of the same flight who were sitting at the same row and two rows in front and behind will be regarded as close contacts. Other passengers in the same cabin will be regarded as other contacts. Quarantine will be arranged for close contacts while medical surveillance will be arranged for other contacts. Investigation is ongoing.
The CHP has set up a hotline (2125 1122) for the case. Persons who took the flight CA8279 or taxi drivers who drove the patient (January 19, 5 pm from Heng On Estate to PWH and January 19, 11 pm from PWH to Oceanaire) should call the hotline. The hotline operates from 8am to 5.45pm from today onwards to answer public enquiries.
The CHP has reported the case to the World Health Organization (WHO), National Health Commission (NHC), Health Commission of Guangdong Province and the health authority of Macao.
A spokesman for the CHP said, “The CHP will continue to maintain its liaison with the NHC, the WHO and the relevant health authorities, and closely monitor the situation for risk assessment.”
The spokesman advised the public to avoid unnecessary travel to Wuhan of Hubei Province. If it is unavoidable to travel to Wuhan, put on a surgical mask and continue to do so until 14 days after returning to Hong Kong.
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 on the affected countries/areas is available from the following webpage: www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/statistics_of_the_cases_novel_coronavirus_infection.pdf.
To prevent pneumonia and respiratory tract infection, members of the public should always maintain good personal and environmental hygiene. They are advised to:
• 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:
•Avoid unnecessary travel to Wuhan of Hubei Province. If it is unavoidable to travel to Wuhan, 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. read more
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) is today (January 22) investigating a highly suspected imported case of novel coronavirus infection. The public is again urged to maintain strict personal, food and environmental hygiene both locally and during travel.
The case involved a 39-year-old male who lives in Wuhan with good past health. He developed fever and blocked nose since yesterday (January 21). He travelled from Wuhan to Shenzhenbei (G1015 carriage No. 3, seat No. 10D) and then from Shenzhenbei to Hong Kong (G5607 carriage No. 2, seat No. 2D) by High-Speed Rail yesterday. Upon arrival at the Hong Kong West Kowloon Station of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link, the patient was detected to have fever by staff of DH’s Port Health Division and was immediately taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital for isolation and treatment. He was transferred to the Princess Margaret Hospital for further management today. The patient is now in stable condition.
The patient’s respiratory samples were preliminarily tested positive for novel coronavirus.
The CHP has immediately commenced epidemiological investigations and conducted relevant contact tracing. According to the patient, he neither visited any health care facilities, wet market or seafood market during the incubation period, nor had any exposure to wild animals or poultry or contact with patients with symptoms of pneumonia or upper respiratory tract infection.
Preliminary investigations revealed that he travelled with his wife, two sons and mother-in-law, who have remained asymptomatic so far and had already departed Hong Kong for the Philippines today.
Contact tracing by the CHP is ongoing. Passengers sitting on the same row or within two rows in front of or behind the patient will be regarded as close contacts while other passengers in the same carriage will be regarded as other contacts. Quarantine will be arranged for close contacts while medical surveillance will be arranged for other contacts.
The CHP has set up a hotline (2125 1122) for the case. Persons who took the high-speed train from Wuhan to Shenzhenbei (G1015, carriage no. 3) and from Shenzhenbei to Hong Kong West Kowloon Station (G5607, carriage no. 2) on January 21 should call the hotline. The hotline operates from 8pm to midnight tonight and from 8am to 5.45pm from tomorrow (January 23) onwards to answer public enquiries.
The CHP has reported the case to the World Health Organization (WHO), National Health Commission (NHC), Health Commission of Guangdong Province and the health authority of the Philippines.
Meanwhile, the CHP also provides the latest information on the pneumonia cases of novel coronavirus infection detected in the Mainland, Macao and the United States.
According to the notification from the NHC today, 149 additional pneumonia cases of novel coronavirus infection were reported in various places across the Mainland as of midnight on January 21. The distribution is as follows:
| Areas | Case(s) |
| Hubei Province | 105 |
| Hunan Province | 1 |
| Henan Province | 1 |
| Jiangxi Province | 2 |
| Shandong Province | 1 |
| Sichuan Province | 2 |
| Zhejiang Province | 5 |
| Chongqing | 5 |
| Tianjin | 2 |
| Yunnan Province | 1 |
| Guangdong Province | 12 |
| Beijing | 5 |
| Shanghai | 7 |