The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for Caritas Medical Centre made the following announcement today (April 13):
 
     Five female patients (aged 30 months to 14 years) in a ward of the Developmental Disabilities Unit have been presenting with fever or respiratory symptoms since April 11. Appropriate viral tests were arranged for the patients and their test results were positive for Rhinovirus/Enterovirus. The five patients are being treated in isolation and are in a stable condition.
 
     Enhanced infection control measures have already been adopted according to prevailing guidelines. Droplet and contact precautions, hand hygiene, cleaning and disinfection of the environment and equipment have also been strengthened. The cubicle concerned has also suspended visiting arrangements.
 
     The hospital will continue to closely monitor the situation in the ward concerned. The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for follow-up.
 

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     Regarding an earlier announcement on Candida auris carrier cases, the spokesperson for Kowloon Hospital gave the following update today (April 13):

     Following a contact tracing investigation, one more female patient, aged 90, in the rehabilitation ward was identified as a carrier of Candida auris without signs of infection. The patient is now being treated under isolation and is in a stable condition.

     The hospital will continue the contact tracing investigation in accordance with the prevailing guidelines. A series of enhanced infection control measures have already been adopted to prevent the spread of Candida auris:
 

1. Thorough cleaning and disinfection of the ward concerned;
2. Enhanced admission screening for patients and environmental screening procedures; and
3. Application of stringent contact precautions and enhanced hand hygiene for staff and patients.

     The hospital will continue to closely monitor the situation of the patient. The case has been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.

     â€‹The Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), Mr Eddie Yue, met with top bankers and financiers in New York today (April 12, New York time) on his way to the Spring Meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund in Washington DC.
 
     Speaking at the luncheon co-hosted by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York and the National Committee on United States-China Relations, Mr Yue said that the banking and financial system in Hong Kong is robust and resilient and is well equipped for challenges. Hong Kong's currency peg against US dollars has provided the much needed stability for an open and external-oriented economy. The Government launched different measures to drive domestic demand through consumption vouchers and the provision of financial support for small and medium enterprises. The economy of Hong Kong is on the track to recovery.
 
     "Hong Kong plays a significant and ever-growing role in the two-way opening up of the Mainland financial markets. Broadening the scope of Southbound Stock Connect to include foreign companies with primary listings in Hong Kong and the inclusion of more Mainland companies in Northbound Trading are but two examples," Mr Yue shared during the enthusiastic discussions about embracing opportunities in the future.
 
     "We look forward to working closely with our counterparts around the world to capitalise on these exciting developments," he added. Mr Yue also emphasised to participants that "Hong Kong is back", and the city was ready to welcome global visitors to experience its energy and vibrancy. 
 
     The National Committee President, Mr Stephen Orlins, who moderated the discussion, underscored that in-person interactions between the HKMA and Americans were of great importance and would lead to a more constructive relationship between the peoples of Hong Kong and the United States.

  

     Hong Kong Customs yesterday (April 12) and today (April 13) conducted anti-illicit cigarette operations in the public rental housing (PRH) in Tuen Mun and Sau Mau Ping respectively. Two suspected illicit cigarette storage centres were raided and a total of about 150 000 suspected illicit cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $550,000 and a duty potential of about $370,000 were seized.

     In the first case, Customs officers intercepted a light goods vehicle in Butterfly Estate, Tuen Mun, at noon yesterday. Upon inspection, about 80 000 suspected illicit cigarettes were seized inside the vehicle. A 56-year-old male driver suspected to be connected with the case was arrested and the vehicle suspected to be used for storing and distributing illicit cigarettes was detained. 

     In the second case, Customs officers smashed another suspected illicit cigarette storage centre in a unit of On Tat Estate, Sau Mau Ping, on the same afternoon. About 57 000 suspected illicit cigarettes were seized and a 28-year-old man, who claimed to be a staff member of a courier company, was arrested in the unit. After a follow-up investigation, Customs officers this morning further seized about 8 000 suspected illicit cigarettes in a parcel arriving from Korea at the Sau Mau Ping Post Office. 

     An initial investigation revealed that the two illicit cigarette storage centres involved in the cases were mainly used to supply illicit cigarettes to residents of PRH in the districts. 

     The two arrested men were charged with "dealing with goods to which the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance applies". Customs will continue to trace the source and the flow of the illicit cigarettes. The likelihood of further arrests is not ruled out.

     Customs has all along been enhancing enforcement against illicit cigarette activities on all fronts, including cross-boundary smuggling, storage and distribution as well as peddling, through intelligence analysis. If PRH units are found to be involved in illicit cigarette activities, Customs will notify the Housing Department for follow-up action after the conclusion of court proceedings.

     Customs reminds members of the public that it is an offence to buy or sell illicit cigarettes. Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, anyone involved in dealing with, possession of, selling or buying illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $1 million and imprisonment for two years.

     Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

    

     The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, yesterday (April 12) and today (April 13) respectively visited Anji County in Zhejiang Province to learn about the development and achievements of its early childhood education, and called on a number of education units and Hong Kong youths in Shanghai.
 
     This morning, Dr Choi visited East China Normal University and Shanghai Normal University in Shanghai to exchange views with the students and teachers. She said that universities in Shanghai and Hong Kong have been conducting professional exchanges in various ways with collaboration in areas covering talent cultivation, student admission and employment, and scientific studies. The Shanghai-Hong Kong University Alliance formed by 16 universities from Shanghai and Hong Kong has strengthened the ties among the universities and further deepened collaboration, achieving mutual benefits. The Education Bureau will continue to support the development of the Alliance and nurture talents for the development of the country.
 
     At noon, Dr Choi called on the Director General of the Shanghai Municipal Education Commission, Mr Zhou Yaming. They exchanged views on various education issues and discussed ways to promote education interflow and co-operation between Shanghai and Hong Kong.
 
     In the afternoon, Dr Choi visited the headquarters of Xiaohongshu to understand the development of social media platforms on the Mainland. She then met representatives of the Hong Kong-Shanghai Youth Association and Hong Kong youngsters at the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Shanghai of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to learn about their development in Shanghai. She encouraged Hong Kong youths to grasp the development opportunities brought about by the National 14th Five-Year Plan and better integrate into the overall development of the country, thereby becoming the future pillars of the country and Hong Kong.
 
     Yesterday, Dr Choi visited Anji County in Huzhou, Zhejiang Province, and toured Jiguan Kindergarten and Lingfeng Center Kindergarten in the County. Both kindergartens put into practice the pedagogy of the Anji Play for early childhood education by designing the campus environment and facilities based on the needs of children, thereby allowing them to learn through playing. Dr Choi observed the practice of the Anji Play pedagogy. She also chatted with local principals and teachers, and listened to their sharing of visions and practical experience in early childhood education.
 
     Dr Choi will conclude the visit and return to Hong Kong tonight.