The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     As at 0.00am today (December 4), a total of 2 776 patients who tested positive for COVID-19 are currently hospitalised for treatment, including 327 new patients. Currently, there are 300 patients requiring oxygen therapy and 13 patients requiring ventilator support. Among the patients staying in isolation facilities, 626 patients are in isolation wards, 200 patients are in second-tier isolation wards and 565 patients are in the North Lantau Hospital Hong Kong Infection Control Centre, of which 223 in total are new patients. There are 19 newly reported critical patients and nine newly reported serious patients. There are a total of 65 patients in critical condition and 75 are in serious condition, of which 20 critical patients are receiving intensive care. Moreover, there are 301 patients who have recovered, including 260 patients who have been discharged. In addition, 16 patients who passed away in public hospitals were reported.

     The Hospital Authority will maintain close contact with the Centre for Health Protection to monitor the latest developments and to inform the public and healthcare workers on the latest information in a timely manner.

     The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress has designated December 4 as the annual "Constitution Day". With the aim of enhancing different social sectors' awareness of the Constitution and promoting the constitutional spirit, the Kwun Tong District Office (KTDO), together with local district organisations, organised promotional and educational activities on the Constitution today (December 4).

     To promote the Constitution Day and enhance the understanding of the Constitution among local residents (particularly the youth), the KTDO, the Kowloon Federation of Associations Kwun Tong District Committee and the Community Emergency Aid Team jointly held an activity entitled "Promotion of Constitution Day 2022 by Different Sectors of Kwun Tong – Display of National Flag" this morning, during which a giant national flag measuring 30 metres in length and 20 metres in width was displayed to show the importance attached by different sectors of Kwun Tong District to the Constitution Day.

     Speaking at the event, the Director of Home Affairs, Mrs Alice Cheung, said that the Constitution is the "root" and "origin" of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). The giant national flag did not only symbolise the greatness of the motherland, but also our pride as Chinese citizens. At the same time, she also announced the establishment of the "Network of Youth Uniformed Groups of Kwun Tong District". She hoped that communication, liaison and collaboration among different uniformed groups in Kwun Tong District could be strengthened through the Network. At the same time, it would enhance young people's knowledge of and sense of belonging to the community, and provide more opportunities for personal development. Deputy Director General of the Kowloon Sub-office of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government (LOCPG) in the HKSAR Mr Zhu Xiaodong and the Director General of the Kowloon Federation of Associations, Ms Tsui Li, also spoke at the ceremony.

     In the afternoon, the KTDO, the Kwun Tong District Civic Education Committee (KTDCEC) and the Kwun Tong Schools Liaison Committee held the Constitution and Basic Law Carnival to disseminate relevant knowledge to the public (particularly the youth in the District) through activities. The KTDO and the KTDCEC recruited 30 students to become Kwun Tong District Civic Ambassadors through local schools a couple of months ago. Christian Action was responsible for teaching them leadership and event organisation skills, while member of the HKSAR Basic Law Committee and Professor of the Faculty of Law of the University of Hong Kong, Professor Albert Chen, gave a lecture on the Constitution and the Basic Law, as well as the highlights of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China to the students. The Carnival was organised by the Kwun Tong District Civic Ambassadors. Over 1 000 participants attended the Carnival.

     The Carnival was officiated by the Deputy Secretary for Justice, Mr Cheung Kwok-kwan; Deputy Director General of the Kowloon Sub-office of the LOCPG in the HKSAR Mr Zhu Xiaodong; the Chairman of the Kwun Tong District Council, Mr Wilson Or; and the Chairman of the Committee on the Promotion of Civic Education and member of the Constitution and Basic Law Promotion Steering Committee, Mr Stanley Choi, among others. The officiating guests presented commendation certificates to the Kwun Tong District Civic Ambassadors, as well as awards to the winners in the primary school and the secondary school sections of the Basic Law Quiz.

     Mr Cheung said in his address that the HKSAR Government has been carrying out various publicity and education activities regarding the Constitution. In fact, further strengthening publicity and education on the Constitution, the Basic Law, and the National Security Law was exactly one of the highlights of the Chief Executive's Policy Address delivered in October this year. To promote the spirit of the Constitution to society and comprehensively promote the rule of law would require the concerted participation of different sectors of society. The training programme for Kwun Tong District Civic Ambassadors was a good example of community engagement. He hoped that the 30 Civic Ambassadors who successfully completed the training programme would continue to spread the knowledge learnt in their own circles and across the community.

     The KTDO will continue to promote the Constitution and the Basic Law in the district to enhance the understanding of our country among different sectors in Kwun Tong so that they can better grasp opportunities brought about by the development of our country to Hong Kong.

          

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (December 4) announced the latest epidemic situation of COVID-19. As of 0.00am, December 4, the CHP was investigating 8 830 additional locally acquired cases that tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, comprising 2 016 cases that tested positive by nucleic acid tests (1 062 confirmed cases, 829 asymptomatic cases and 125 cases with pending status) and 6 814 cases that tested positive by rapid antigen tests (RATs) in the past 24 hours.

     Separately, 657 additional imported cases were reported, comprising 544 cases that tested positive by nucleic acid tests (115 confirmed cases, 400 asymptomatic cases and 29 cases with pending status) and 113 cases that tested positive by RATs. Among the additional imported cases, 370 of them involved samples at the airport, 217 involved samples during Day 1 to Day 3, and the remaining 70 involved samples during Day 4 to Day 7.

     Hong Kong has recorded a total of 1 063 100 and 1 094 876 cases that have tested positive by nucleic acid tests and RATs respectively for the SARS-CoV-2 virus so far.

     The CHP is continuing with epidemiological investigations of the cases. Please refer to the Annex and the "COVID-19 Thematic Website" (www.coronavirus.gov.hk) for more information.

     The CHP has been closely monitoring the situation of positive cases involving mutant strains by genetic analysis. As of 0.00am, December 4, the DH's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch (PHLSB) had identified 225 cases of sub-lineage XBB, six of XBD, eight of BA.2.75.2, seven of BA.4.6, 13 of BF.7 and 36 of BQ.1.1 among imported cases in Hong Kong, while 104 cases of sub-lineage XBB, 18 of XBD, one of BA.2.75.2, four of BF.7 and 121 of BQ.1.1 have also been detected among local cases.

     Among the specimens received by the DH's PHLSB during November 25 to December 1 for verification testing of local cases, 0 per cent and about 71.32 per cent of them (seven-day moving average) are related to the sub-lineages BA.2.12.1 and BA.4/BA.5 (including suspected cases) of the Omicron mutant strain respectively.

     In addition, as of 0.00am, December 4, a total of 10 593 death cases that had tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus during the fifth wave (since December 31, 2021) were recorded, with 10 497 and 92 deaths reported from the Hospital Authority and public mortuaries respectively as well as four deaths reported from private hospitals. Hong Kong has so far recorded a total of 10 806 death cases that tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

     Furthermore, among the earlier cases by nucleic acid tests reported, there were cases (including pending cases) that were changed to confirmed, asymptomatic or re-positive cases. As of yesterday (December 3), the total number of confirmed cases was 462 800, while the figures for asymptomatic cases, re-positive cases and pending/unknown cases recorded since January 1 were 350 707, 31 and 247 002 respectively.

     The spokesman for the CHP said 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 have yet to receive vaccination, especially senior citizens, chronic patients, children 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.

     The CHP appeals to the community to keep on maintaining personal hygiene and complying with social distancing measures in order to jointly contain the risk of virus transmission. The spokesman reminded members of the public that they can call various hotlines to make enquiries on COVID-19 (www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/index.html#hotline).

     The Government announced today (December 4) that in order to fight the coronavirus epidemic, the Environmental Protection Department and the Drainage Services Department have been collecting sewage samples for virus testing in all districts, and had detected positive results in some 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 commence distributing about 50 000 sets of the COVID-19 rapid antigen test (RAT) kits to residents, cleaning workers and property management staff working in the following areas for them to take the test on their own, in order to help identify infected persons:
 

• Tsuen Wan District – The Cairnhill, Hong Kong Garden, Hong Kong Garden Yale Villa, Yuen Tun Village, Royal Sea Crest, Villa Alfavista, Anglers' Bay, Pai Min Kok Village in Sham Tseng, Seascape Villa, Tsing Lung Tau New Village, Lung Tang Court and L'Aquatique
• Sha Tin District – Kam Lung Court

 
     Members of the public may refer to (www.coronavirus.gov.hk/rat/eng/rat.html) 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 183 6119 to register their identification document and telephone number. The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health will contact the relevant person later to finish the report procedure.

    ​In light of positive test results for the COVID-19 virus from sewage samples collected in Yau Tsim Mong and Sai Kung Districts, the Home Affairs Department (HAD) said today (December 4) that the Yau Tsim Mong District Office (YTMDO) and the Sai Kung District Office (SKDO) have distributed a total of about 33 000 COVID-19 rapid test kits to households, cleansing workers and property management staff living and working in the Districts.
 
    The YTMDO distributed rapid test kits to households, cleansing workers and property management staff living and working in Parc Palais and King's Park Villa for voluntary testing through the property management companies.
 
    In addition, the SKDO also distributed rapid test kits to households, cleansing workers and property management staff living and working in Serenity Place for voluntary testing through the property management company.
 
    The HAD made the above arrangements in the hope of identifying infected persons early.
 
    Members of the public may refer to the demonstration video produced by the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) under the Department of Health (DH) via www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzFAUzTtmKk to learn how to use the rapid antigen test (RAT) kit.
 
    Persons testing positive through an RAT should take a photo of the test result and declare the result within 24 hours via the Declaration System for Individuals Tested Positive for COVID-19 Using Rapid Antigen Test (www.chp.gov.hk/ratp). If members of the public encounter difficulties in using the online platform, they can call the automated system at 183 6119 to register their identification document and telephone number. The CHP under the DH will contact the relevant person later to complete the report procedure. There is no need to declare negative test results.
 
    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.