The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority: As at 9am today (November 10), no COVID-19 confirmed patient was discharged from hospital in the last 24 hours. So far, a total of 12 036 patients with confirmed o… read more
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) announced that as of 0.00am, November 10, the CHP was investigating five additional confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), taking the number of cases to 12 375 in Hong Kong so far (comprising 12 374 confirmed cases and one probable case).
The newly reported cases are imported cases. Three of the cases involved mutant strains while the viral load of one case is insufficient for mutation tests and the mutation test result of the remaining case is pending. The patients comprise three males and two females, aged between 15 to 57 years. One of them arrived in Hong Kong from a Group A specified place (high-risk) and four of them from Group B specified places (medium-risk). Among them, cases 12376 and 12378 underwent compulsory testing in accordance with the relevant requirements for exempted persons. Their samples collected on November 8 at a community testing centre (Henry G Leong Yaumatei Community Centre) and a mobile specimen collection station (Tung Chung North Park) respectively tested positive for COVID-19. Cases 12377 and 12379 tested positive in a test on November 8 after completion of compulsory quarantine. The remaining patient tested positive during the “test-and-hold” arrangement upon arrival at the Temporary Specimen Collection Centre at Hong Kong International Airport.
A total of 39 cases have been reported in the past 14 days (October 27 to November 9) 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 list of buildings with confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the past 14 days and the latest local situation of COVID-19 available on the website “COVID-19 Thematic Website” (www.coronavirus.gov.hk). The DH has also been closely monitoring the mutant strains of SARS CoV-2 and has uploaded the relevant information on Variants of Concern (VOCs) and Variants of Interest (VOIs), based on whole genome sequencing results, to the CHP’s website (www.chp.gov.hk/en/statistics/data/10/641/100135/6973.html). The data will be updated regularly.
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).”
The spokesman reminded, “If travel is unavoidable, the CHP highly recommends the public to be fully vaccinated with COVID-19 vaccines before their departure. They should avoid participating in non-essential mass gatherings or events held outside Hong Kong. They should continue to wear a surgical mask and maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene at all times. Parents are also urged to avoid taking unvaccinated children travelling.”
The Government has launched the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme. Members of the public are encouraged to get vaccinated. Details of the programme can be found at the designated website (www.covidvaccine.gov.hk). Generally speaking, COVID-19 vaccination can prevent COVID-19 infection, and if infected, reduce the risk of severe disease and death from COVID-19.
​​The CHP called on members of the public to pay attention to their health condition, seek medical advice early and undergo COVID-19 nucleic acid testing as soon as possible if respiratory symptoms develop. They should also maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene at all times to protect themselves against infection and prevent the spread of the disease in the community. For more related health advice, please refer to the website www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/health-advice.html. read more
The Department of Health (DH) today (November 10) conducted an operation against the sale of an unregistered pharmaceutical product, namely Neo Hair Lotion, which was found to contain an undeclared drug ingredient. During the operation, a 40-year-old man was arrested by the Police for suspected illegal sale and possession of an unregistered pharmaceutical product and a Part 1 poison.
During the DH’s market surveillance, a sample of the above product was purchased via the Internet for analysis. Test results from the Government Laboratory revealed that the sample contained minoxidil.
Minoxidil is a Part 1 poison under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138). It can only be sold at pharmacies under the supervision of a registered pharmacist. Minoxidil is commonly used for the treatment of hair loss, with side effects including scalp irritation and itchiness.
According to the Ordinance, all pharmaceutical products must be registered with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong before they can be legally sold in the market. Illegal sale or possession of unregistered pharmaceutical products or Part 1 poisons are criminal offences. The maximum penalty for each offence is a fine of $100,000 and two years’ imprisonment.
The DH’s investigation is continuing and advice will be sought from the Department of Justice on prosecution matters upon completion of the investigation.
The DH spokesman strongly urged members of the public not to buy products of unknown or doubtful composition, or to consume products from unknown sources, as the safety, efficacy and quality of these products are not guaranteed. All registered pharmaceutical products carry a Hong Kong registration number on the label in the format of HK-XXXXX.
People who have purchased the above product should stop using it and consult healthcare professionals for advice if in doubt or feeling unwell after use. They can submit the above product to the DH’s Drug Office at Room 1801, Wu Chung House, 213 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, during office hours for disposal.
In the preceding week till 11.59pm on November 7, the Department of Health (DH) received 34 reports (Note) of adverse events following COVID-19 immunisation. No death case was reported by the Hospital Authority (HA) involving indivi… read more
The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr John Lee, chaired the fifth meeting of the fourth-term Commission on Poverty (CoP) held this afternoon (November 10).
Members noted the implementation progress of various assistance programmes and the financial position of the Community Care Fund, as well as the evaluation report by the Home Affairs Department on the effectiveness of the Phase III Programme of Subsidy for Owners’ Corporations of Old Buildings.
In addition, the CoP approved the proposed annual indicative budgets for 2022-23 for the First Phase Programme of Medical Assistance Programmes ($1,397.55 million), the Subsidy for Eligible Patients to Purchase Ultra-expensive Drugs (Including Those for Treating Uncommon Disorders) programme ($289.8 million) and the Subsidy for Eligible Patients of the Hospital Authority to Purchase Specified Implantable Medical Devices for Interventional Procedures programme ($81.9 million).
The CoP was also briefed on the poverty statistics and analysis for 2020 produced jointly by the Office of the Government Economist and the Census and Statistics Department. The CoP discussed the analysis and noted that the Government would publish the “Hong Kong Poverty Situation Report 2020” after the meeting. The Report has been uploaded to the CoP’s dedicated website (www.povertyrelief.gov.hk).
