In light of the positive test results for the COVID-19 virus from some sewage samples collected in Tsuen Wan, Tai Po, Yuen Long, North District and Yau Tsim Mong, the Home Affairs Department (HAD) said today (March 12) that the Tsuen Wan District Office (TWDO), the Tai Po District Office (TPDO), the Yuen Long District Office (YLDO), the North District Office (NDO) and the Yau Tsim Mong District Office (YTMDO) have distributed a total of about 84 000 COVID-19 rapid test kits (rapid test kits) to households, cleansing workers and property management staff living and working in the districts.
      
     The TWDO and the TPDO distributed rapid test kits to households, cleansing workers and property management staff living and working in Park Island in Tsuen Wan District and Chung Nga Court in Tai Po District for voluntary testing through the property management companies.
      
     The YLDO also distributed rapid test kits to households, cleansing workers and property management staff living and working in Tin Shui (I) Estate, Tin Shui (II) Estate and Tin Oi Court for voluntary testing through the Housing Department and the property management companies.
      
     The NDO also started to distribute rapid test kits to households, cleansing workers and property management staff living and working in Flora Plaza, King Shing Court and Yan Shing Court for voluntary testing through the property management companies.
      
     In addition, the YTMDO distributed rapid test kits to households, cleansing workers and property management staff living and working in Shining Heights, Fu On Mansion and Boundary Building for voluntary testing through the owners' corporations, the property management company and district organisations.
      
     The HAD made the above arrangements in the hope of identifying infected persons early.
      
     For people who obtained positive results through rapid antigen test (RAT) for the first time can report via the online platform "Declaration System for individuals tested positive for COVID-19 using Rapid Antigen Test" (www.chp.gov.hk/ratp/). If individuals encounter difficulties in using the online platform, they can call the automated system at 1836 119 to register their identification document and telephone number. The Centre for Health Protection will contact the relevant person later to finish the report procedure.

     For more information on rapid test kits, please view the following demonstration video produced by the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health: www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzFAUzTtmKk.

     The Government appeals for the co-operation of members of the public to safeguard the health of themselves and their families by undergoing testing on a voluntary basis and fighting the virus together. The Government urges all individuals who are in doubt about their own health condition, or individuals with infection risks (such as individuals who visited places with epidemic outbreaks or had contact with cases that tested positive), to undergo testing promptly for early identification of infected persons to reduce the transmission risks of COVID-19.

          

     â€‹The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (March 12) announced the latest epidemic situation of COVID-19. As of 0.00am, March 12, the CHP was investigating 15 789 additional cases that tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus by nucleic acid tests (3 755 confirmed cases, 3 124 additional asymptomatic cases and 8 910 cases with pending case status) in the past 24 hours. Separately, 11 858 additional positive cases through rapid antigen tests (RAT) (8 546 symptomatic cases and 3 312 asymptomatic cases) were reported. Hong Kong has recorded a total of 610 300 and 64 147 cases that tested positive by nucleic acid tests and RAT respectively for the SARS-CoV-2 virus so far.

     The aforementioned newly reported cases consist of one imported case and 15 788 locally acquired cases tested positive by nucleic acid tests, as well as 11 858 locally acquired cases tested positive by RAT. The CHP is continuing with epidemiological investigations on the cases. A list of buildings related to the cases is available at the "COVID-19 Thematic Website" (www.coronavirus.gov.hk).

     In addition, as of 0.00am, March 12, a total of 3 516 deaths related to COVID-19 during the fifth wave (since December 31, 2021) was recorded, with 3 507 and nine deaths reported from the Hospital Authority and public mortuaries respectively. Hong Kong has so far recorded a total of 3 729 deaths related to COVID-19.

     Furthermore, among the earlier cases by nucleic acid tests reported, there were cases (including pending cases) changed to confirmed, asymptomatic or re-positive cases. As at yesterday (March 11), the total number of confirmed cases was 251 188, while the figures for asymptomatic cases, re-positive cases, pending/unknown cases recorded since January 1 were 119 908, 10 and 223 405 respectively.

     The CHP reminded relevant individuals, who completed initial reporting via the "Declaration System for individuals tested positive for COVID-19 using Rapid Antigen Test" as well as their household contacts that, after receiving an SMS with the reference number concerned, they should follow the link to log-in and upload their supporting documents (photo of the RAT result and/or identity document) as soon as possible, so as to facilitate a speedy epidemiological follow-up of the CHP for appropriate support for patients with higher risks. After reviewing the usage by members of the public after the launch of the system, the CHP announced that with effect from 0.00am, March 14, logging-in to the linked website provided in the SMS will only be valid for 24 hours after the SMS was sent. Relevant individuals must upload the supporting documents within 24 hours upon receipt of the SMS, or else their log-in will become invalid and they would not be able to upload supporting documents with the link and download their isolation or quarantine order issued by the CHP in accordance with the law. In addition, they will not be able to report again via the system. With regard to SMS sent between March 7 and 0.00am, March 13, those links will also become invalid at 0.00am, March 14.

     The spokesman for the CHP stressed that the local situation of COVID-19 infection became severe recently and there is a continuous increase in the number of cases involving mutant strains that carry higher transmissibility. With the higher transmissibility and risk of infection of the Omicron mutant strain, the CHP strongly appeals to the community to continue to comply with the social distancing measures, avoid going out and refrain from participating in unnecessary or crowded activities or gatherings (particularly religious or cross-family activities and gatherings). This would lower the risk of infection and prevent the virus from spreading in the community.

     â€‹The spokesman reminded that COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective in preventing severe cases and deaths from the SARS-CoV-2 virus. They can provide effective protection to those vaccinated in preventing serious complications and even death after infection. People who are yet to receive vaccination, especially senior citizens, chronic patients and other immunocompromised persons who face a higher chance of death after COVID-19 infection, should get vaccinated as early as possible for self-protection and to reduce the risk of falling seriously ill and death should they get infected. Meanwhile, a person who gets COVID-19 and influenza at the same time may be more seriously ill and would have a higher risk of death. Influenza vaccination may reduce the likelihood of hospitalisation and the length of stay. In addition, seasonal influenza vaccination is recommended for all persons aged 6 months or above except those with known contraindications. Persons at higher risk of getting influenza and its complications, including the elderly and children, should receive seasonal influenza vaccination early. Please see details of the vaccination schemes on the CHP's website (www.chp.gov.hk/en/features/17980.html).

     In response to media reports on the kinds of animals covered by the Road Traffic (Amendment) Ordinance 2021 (Cap 374) which came into effect on November 7, 2021, a spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) today (March 12) issued the following statement.

     The Road Traffic Ordinance (Cap 374) provides that the driver of a vehicle shall stop if an accident involving that vehicle occurs whereby damage is caused to animals not in the vehicle. Drivers are also required to provide particulars, including name and address, to any police officer or any person having reasonable grounds for requiring the information. Otherwise, the driver must report the accident to the Police as soon as possible and in any case no later than 24 hours after the accident.

     The abovementioned Ordinance was amended last year with cats and dogs whether stray or owned, included into the definition of "animal" into the original one covering any horse, cattle, ass, mule, sheep, pig or goat. It does not cover only owned cats and dogs as reported in some media stories today.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The Hospital Authority today (March 12) announced information regarding patients who tested positive via admission screening or testing with patients or staff members identified as close contacts and nosocomial COVID-19 infection cases:
      
     The following are the statistics of patients who tested positive via admission screening or by testing in public hospitals with patients or staff members identified as close contacts.
 

  
     The following are the statistics of nosocomial infection cases in public hospitals.
 

 
     Thorough cleaning and disinfection operations have been performed in the affected areas by hospitals. The hospitals will continue to closely monitor the health condition of patients and staff members, and communicate with the Centre for Health Protection on the latest situation.

     The Government announced today (March 12) that in order to fight the coronavirus epidemic, the Environmental Protection Department and the Drainage Services Department in collaboration with the cross-disciplinary team of the University of Hong Kong had strengthened the sampling of sewage for virus testing in all districts, and had detected positive results in many areas, indicating that there may be hidden cases in the premises within these areas.

Rapid test

     As regards positive sewage testing results with relatively high viral loads in the following areas, the respective District Offices will distribute over 100 000 sets of the COVID-19 rapid antigen test (RAT) kits to a total of about 100 000 residents, cleaning workers and property management staff working in the following areas starting from tomorrow (March 13) for them to take the test on their own, in order to help identify infected persons:
 

• Southern District – Chi Fu Fa Yuen, Pokfulam Gardens and residential premises near Main Street, Ap Lei Chau (See Annex)
• Tuen Mun District – Po Tin Estate and Tin King Estate
• Kwai Tsing District – Kwai Chung Estate
• Eastern District – Tsui Wan Estate, Hang Tsui Court and Tsui Lok Estate

     Members of the public may refer to (www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzFAUzTtmKk) for enquiries relating to the use of the RAT kits.

     When using an RAT kit, please pay attention to and follow the instructions from the manufacturer to perform the test and read the result properly. It is advisable to record the displayed result by taking a photo immediately after reading. Users should wash their hands before and after performing the tests, and avoid placing non-essential items within the specimen collection area. After completing the test, wrap and seal all components of the test kit carefully and dispose properly. If the household environment is contaminated during the specimen collecting process, disinfection should be conducted with 1 in 49 diluted bleach solution or 70 per cent alcohol.

     People who obtained a positive result through an RAT for the first time can report via the online platform "Declaration System for individuals tested positive for COVID-19 using Rapid Antigen Test" (www.chp.gov.hk/ratp/). If individuals encounter difficulties using the online platform, they can call the automated system at 1836 119 to register their identification document and telephone number. The Centre for Health Protection will contact the relevant person later to finish the report procedure.