Tag Archives: China

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) said in view of the serious epidemic situation, in order to curb the spread of COVID-19, safeguard people’s health and protect the healthcare system from collapse, the Government launched the “StayHomeSafe” Scheme today (February 8). The CHP has today started to arrange close contacts and household contacts of close contacts who are deemed appropriate after assessment to undergo home quarantine for 14 days and four days respectively. 

     A CHP spokesman said that the CHP would carry out an assessment for persons who need to undergo home quarantine. Factors to be considered include the suitability of the person’s dwelling place for quarantine, the risk level of persons confining at the same place, and their individual physical conditions.

     Persons undergoing “StayHomeSafe” must stay in their dwelling place and wear an electronic wristband throughout the quarantine period; regularly monitor their physical condition including taking body temperature twice daily; conduct regular Rapid Antigen Test on their own on specified dates (close contacts must also attend the Community Testing Centre for testing on Day 12); and follow other home quarantine guidelines issued by the DH.

     The Government has launched a dedicated website for the “StayHomeSafe” Scheme:
www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/home-quarantine.html, and the Home Affairs Department has also set up hotline (www.coronavirus.gov.hk/pdf/Important_Contact_Information.pdf) to provide assistance to persons undergoing “StayHomeSafe”.
 
     As at noon today, the CHP has issued home quarantine orders to 38 persons, comprising 19 close contacts and 19 household contacts of close contacts, involving a total of 17 households. A list of the buildings where these households reside are available online (www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/stayhomesafe_buildings.pdf). Persons undergoing “StayHomeSafe” should call the above hotline immediately to report if they develop symptoms or if their Rapid Antigen Test gives a positive result during the quarantine period.
   
     The implementation of the “StayHomeSafe” Scheme depends on the concerted co-operation of the various sectors of the society and the general public. The CHP appeals to property management companies to help deliver items to persons under home quarantine and has drawn up infection control guidelines for them to follow in order to avoid transmitting the virus. The CHP also encourages the friends and relatives of persons under “StayHomeSafe” to give them support and provide supplies but they must avoid face-to-face contact with the person under home quarantine.

    The CHP spokesman appeals to the public to continue to remain vigilant, maintain personal hygiene and wear facemasks properly. COVID-19 vaccination can prevent COVID-19 infection, and if infected, reduce the risk of severe disease and death from COVID-19. Members of the public are encouraged to get vaccinated. Details of the programme can be found at the designated website (www.covidvaccine.gov.hk). read more

     The Government on February 6 exercised the power under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Compulsory Testing for Certain Persons) Regulation (Cap. 599J) to make a “restriction-testing declaration” effective from 7.30pm that day, under which people (hereafter referred to as “persons subject to compulsory testing”) within the specified “restricted area” in Tuen Mun (i.e. Leung Kit House, excluding LKWFS Chu Sui Lan Anglo-Chinese Kindergarten on G/F, Leung King Estate, 31 Tin King Road, Tuen Mun) were required to stay in their premises and undergo compulsory testing. As it takes time for the testing contractor to confirm the test results, the Government today (February 8) decided to extend the period of operation for Leung Kit House (See Annex) in the “restricted area” and aims at finishing the exercise at about 10am tomorrow (February 9). Persons subject to compulsory testing at Leung Kit House are required to stay in their premises and undergo two tests under the designated arrangement (including the tests conducted on February 6 and February 8 under the declaration), until the test results of all such persons identified in Leung Kit House are mostly ascertained, and upon the agreement of the Secretary for Food and Health having regard to all the circumstances and the public interest of Hong Kong.
     
     A Government spokesman said, “Recently, sewage discharged from Leung Kit House, Leung King Estate, was tested positive for COVID-19 and over 50 preliminarily tested positive cases have been identified under the ‘restriction-testing declaration’ operation conducted on February 6, which is worrying. In view of the significant risk of infection at Leung Kit House, Leung King Estate, and as the testing is still ongoing and the results are pending, we consider it necessary to extend the ‘restriction-testing declaration’ operation made earlier under Cap. 599J to February 9 to ensure that persons subject to compulsory testing have completed testing and prevent the virus from further spreading.”

     The Government set up temporary specimen collection stations in the “restricted area” and requested persons subject to compulsory testing to collect combined nasal and throat swab samples at the stations to undergo a COVID-19 virus test as designated on February 6 and February 8. As at 8pm today, about 3 215 person-time had undergone testing. The test results are pending.

     The Tuen Mun District Office has prepared instant noodles, meal boxes, etc, to persons subject to compulsory testing, so as to facilitate the meal arrangements of them. Daily necessities and cleaning products have also been provided to them.

     In order to maintain public and emergency services within the “restricted area”, the Government and relevant working staff (such as healthcare officers and other officers of the Hospital Authority, testing service providers engaged by the Government and cleaning service providers) are allowed to enter and leave the “restricted area” on condition that personal information and contact details are given as well as certain infection control instructions are followed (including undergoing testing before leaving the “restricted area” without the need to wait for the test results). In the cases in which employees are unable to go to work because of the declaration, the Government hopes their employers can exercise discretion and not deduct the salaries or benefits of the employees.”

     If staying in the “restricted area” will cause unreasonable hardship for individuals who are not residents in the area when the declaration takes effect, government officers may exercise discretion and allow those persons to leave the area after considering the individual circumstances. Such persons must have followed the instructions to undergo testing and must leave their personal information for contact purposes.

     The Home Affairs Department has set up a hotline (Tel: 2835 1473) for residents restricted by the declarations to make enquiries and seek assistance. The Social Welfare Department will also provide assistance to the affected persons.

     The Government appeals to persons subject to compulsory testing for their full co-operation by registering and undergoing testing, and waiting for the results patiently at home. The Government will strictly follow up on whether the persons concerned have complied with the compulsory testing notices and “restriction-testing declaration”. Any person who fails to comply with the compulsory testing notices commits an offence and may be fined a fixed penalty of $5,000. The person would also be issued with a compulsory testing order requiring him or her to undergo testing within a specified time frame. Failure to comply with the compulsory testing order or the “restriction-testing declaration” is an offence and the offender would be liable to a fine at level 4 ($25,000) and imprisonment for six months. read more

Six Police officers and three auxiliary Police officers, aged between 28 and 57, respectively posted to Kowloon West Regional Headquarters, New Territories North Regional Headquarters, Sham Shui Po District, Kwun Tong District, Lantau South Division, T… read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     Hospital Authority (HA) today (February 8) announced the following preliminary positive COVID 19 patient cases detected via admission screening:

     Three males and one female patient in a surgical ward and two medical wards of Caritas Medical Centre tested preliminarily positive during admission screening yesterday. One 53-year-old male and one 33-year-old female patient with stable condition, and one 76-year-old male patient with critical condition are being treated under isolation. One 73-year-old male patient with chronic diseases required resuscitation upon admission.  His condition continued to deteriorate and eventually succumbed at 4.45am. The case will be referred to the coroner for follow up. The hospital’s infection control team has conducted contact tracing accordingly. Twenty-three patients, who have stayed in the same cubicle with the four patients, are identified as close contacts and will be isolated for quarantine. Among them, one discharged patient has been referred to the Department of Health for follow up. 

     A 67-year-old female patient in a medical ward of Yan Chai Hospital tested preliminarily positive during admission screening yesterday. The patient is being treated under isolation with stable condition. The hospital’s infection control team has conducted contact tracing. Four patients stayed with the patient concerned in the same cubicle were identified as close contacts and will be isolated for quarantine.

     An 87-year-old male patient in a medicine and geriatrics ward of Princess Margaret Hospital tested preliminarily positive during admission screening yesterday. The patient is being treated under isolation with stable condition. The hospital’s infection control team has conducted contact tracing. Nine patients stayed with the patient concerned in the same cubicle were identified as close contacts and will be isolated for quarantine.

     Thorough cleansing and disinfection have been performed in the affected areas by the hospitals. The hospitals will continue to communicate with the Centre for Health Protection on the latest situation. read more

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:      Queen Elizabeth Hospital today (February 8) announced that some staff members are preliminarily confirmed for COVID-19 infection with details as follows:   &nbs… read more