The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) announced that as of 0.00am, December 18, the CHP was investigating five additional confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), taking the number of cases to 12 519 in Hong Kong so far (comprising 12 518 confirmed cases and one probable case).

     The newly reported cases are imported cases which involved mutant strains. The patients comprise three females and two males, aged 24 to 83. One of them arrived in Hong Kong from a Group A specified place (high-risk) with enhanced surveillance and the remaining four arrived in Hong Kong from Group A specified places (high-risk). One patient tested positive during the "test-and-hold" arrangement upon arrival at the Temporary Specimen Collection Centre (TSCC) at Hong Kong International Airport and the other four tested positive during quarantine. 

     Meanwhile, the CHP provided an update on the latest investigations on three imported cases announced yesterday (case 12513, 12514 and 12515) involving three males aged between 27 and 36. The whole genome sequencing conducted by the DH's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch confirmed that the three cases all carried the Variant of Concern Omicron. Case 12513 involves a local cargo crew member who underwent medical surveillance in accordance with the relevant requirements for exempted persons. He tested positive under regular compulsory testing. The Government has made a "restriction-testing declaration" earlier for the building where the patient resided in Hong Kong. The compulsory testing frequency has also been increased for persons who resided or worked at the same building as the residence of the case. The relevant persons will be subject to compulsory testing on December 18, 19, 20, 23, 28 and January 4 (see the details at www.coronavirus.gov.hk/pdf/CTN_Specified_premises_and_Dates_of_Testing.pdf). Also, the CHP has arranged about 10 of his close contacts and about 10 household contacts of those close contacts to conduct quarantine at quarantine centre. No relevant confirmed case so far. The other two cases (12514 and 12515) tested positive during the "test-and-hold" arrangement upon arrival at the TSCC.

     Together with the three aforementioned cases, there are so far 14 cases involving Omicron in Hong Kong.

     A total of 65 cases have been reported in the past 14 days (December 4 to 17) and all of them are imported cases.

     The CHP's epidemiological investigations and relevant contact tracing on the confirmed cases are ongoing. For case details and contact tracing information, please see the Annex or the "COVID-19 Thematic Website" (www.coronavirus.gov.hk).

     â€‹â€‹The spokesman for the CHP stressed, "The global situation of COVID-19 infection remains severe and there is a continuous increase in the number of cases involving mutant strains that carry higher transmissibility, and there are also reports of breakthrough infections in some vaccinated individuals. The CHP strongly urges members of the public to avoid all non-essential travel outside Hong Kong, in particular to specified places with high risk under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Regulation of Cross-boundary Conveyances and Travellers) Regulation (Cap. 599H)."

     In response to media enquiries, a spokesman for the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region said today (December 18) that the Government is fully dedicated in the final preparation stage of the orderly resumption of quarantine-free travel with the Mainland, including the quota, and will make an announcement at a suitable juncture.

     The Government understands that not being able to have quarantine-free travel to the Mainland for a prolonged period of time has affected the daily lives and different kinds of interactions between people in these two places, including official and business engagements and non-official and non-business situations. The Government will consider the handling of quota in a comprehensive and holistic manner.

     The 2021 Legislative Council General Election will be held tomorrow (December 19). The Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Erick Tsang Kwok-wai, today (December 18) visited different polling stations in various districts to inspect the preparatory work.

     He first inspected the polling stations located at North Point Community Hall and St Anna Anglo-Chinese Kindergarten in Quarry Bay this morning to get updates on the preparatory work for the election tomorrow and rehearsal sessions for electoral staff. He also visited the central counting station and Election Committee constituency polling station at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre to observe the training and practice sessions with simulated scenarios for staff.

     Mr Tsang thanked all electoral staff for their efforts in carrying out the preparatory work, and reminded them to adhere to the principles of high efficiency, humanity and safety when implementing electoral arrangements, with a view to conducting the election in a fair, open and honest manner; and ensure a smooth process of ballot paper issuing and polling so as to shorten the waiting time of electors as far as possible.

     While visiting the central counting station, he reminded staff to perform every counting procedure against the clock in order to confirm counting results as soon as possible.

     Mr Tsang encouraged all electoral staff to perform their assigned roles with utmost passion and professionalism with a view to ensuring that the election be conducted in a fair, open and honest manner while providing the public with greatest convenience and efficient services. 

     Lastly, he urged again all electors to cast their votes tomorrow (December 19) to elect the new term of Legislative Council members who are patriotic and dedicated to serve Hong Kong citizens.

  

     The 2021 Legislative Council (LegCo) General Election will be held tomorrow (December 19), and around 38 000 civil servants have been assigned by various departments to carry out the important electoral duties. The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Patrick Nip, visited the polling station and the counting station at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre today (December 18) to give his support to civil service colleagues who are busy making preparations for the election. 

     He said that colleagues should do their best, remain highly vigilant, take extra steps and work together to make the election a success.

     Mr Nip also appealed to all voters, in particular civil service colleagues, to cast their votes tomorrow to elect members of the new term of LegCo for Hong Kong's future.

     "The election is of great significance as it is the first LegCo General Election after the electoral system has been improved and the principle of 'patriots administering Hong Kong' has been implemented. To secure adequate manpower, the Government has for the first time assigned suitable serving civil service colleagues to work as electoral staff in different ranks and categories. It is also an obligatory duty and important mission for our colleagues to undertake electoral tasks," he said.

     In accordance with the Civil Service Regulation, the Secretary for the Civil Service had earlier given instructions to civil service colleagues assigned by Heads of Departments to take up electoral duties in the LegCo General Election with a view to ensuring the smooth conduct of the election.

     To facilitate polling staff to cast their votes, the Government has adopted various measures including a priority queue for polling staff and transport arrangements so that they can return to work after casting their votes as soon as possible.

     The Commissioner of Police, Mr Siu Chak-yee, today (December 18) said the Police Force will strive to ensure that the Legislative Council General Election will be conducted safely and smoothly tomorrow (December 19).

     Mr Siu said the Police would adopt a comprehensive approach to deploy over 10 000 officers, including officers in uniform, in plain-clothes and from specialised units, as well as special constables to patrol, monitor and gather intelligence so as to ensure that the election will be held smoothly while members of the public can safely and orderly cast their votes.

     "Police have the determination and capability to pursue any law-breakers and will not condone any illegal acts. Police will intervene swiftly and resolutely enforce the law once anyone is found attempting to undermine the election," he stressed.

     He also appealed to the public to exercise their civil rights by voting tomorrow.