Tag Archives: China

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:        As at 9am today (October 19), four COVID-19 confirmed patients (case numbers: 12226, 12266, 12271 and 12274) were discharged from hospital in the last 24 hou… read more

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (October 19) that Stanley Main Beach Water Sports Centre in Southern District, Hong Kong Island, will be reopened on Thursday (October 21).    … read more

     The Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Sophia Chan, attended the Tseung Kwan O community vaccination day today (October 19). Health talks and medical consultation were provided to residents of the district for them to learn more about COVID-19 vaccines and their protection.

     The event was jointly organised by the Sai Kung District Office, the Wong Tai Sin and Sai Kung District Social Welfare Office of the Social Welfare Department, the Sai Kung District Health Centre Express, Haven of Hope Christian Service and the Sai Kung and Tseung Kwan O Community Anti-coronavirus Link. A total of eight health talks and medical consultation sessions were provided at Tseung Kwan O Public Library throughout the day for residents of the district.
 
     Participants could receive the BioNTech vaccine at the Community Vaccination Centre at Tseung Kwan O Sports Centre right after the health talks. For those who opted for the Sinovac vaccine, staff on-site assisted them to make vaccination bookings or arranged for designated vehicles to transport them to clinics of private doctors who supported the event for vaccination.

     Professor Chan said, “I am delighted to learn that some 300 residents took part in today’s event. Currently, only less than 20 per cent of elderly people aged 80 or above have received COVID-19 vaccines. Senior citizens, persons with chronic diseases and other immunocompromised people face a high risk of deteriorating condition and even death once infected by COVID-19. Generally speaking, except for those with contraindications, the elderly and chronic disease patients should get vaccinated to protect themselves.”

     She also reminded members of the public on the importance of receiving seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV). “Evidence repeatedly indicates that a person who contracts influenza and COVID-19 at the same time may be more seriously ill and will have a higher risk of death. Receiving SIV can reduce the chance of hospitalisation and the length of stay. As such, receiving SIV and COVID-19 vaccination is equally important, in particular, for elderly people residing in the community or at residential care homes who should get vaccinated as soon as possible to build up dual protection,” Professor Chan said.

     The various SIV programmes for 2021/22 have commenced. The Government Vaccination Programme and the Vaccination Subsidy Scheme provide free and subsidised influenza vaccination for designated persons and eligible groups respectively. The recommended interval between administration of a seasonal influenza vaccine and a COVID-19 vaccine is at least 14 days.

     “The Hospital Authority (HA) has set up COVID-19 Vaccination Stations in seven public hospitals to enable patients visiting hospitals for follow-up appointments and visitors, in particular patients of specialist out-patient clinics, to receive BioNTech vaccination without prior booking when they have their follow-up medical consultation. The seven hospitals are Queen Mary Hospital, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Tuen Mun Hospital, Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, Tseung Kwan O Hospital, Caritas Medical Centre and Prince of Wales Hospital,” she added.
 
     Moreover, the Elderly Health Centres of the Department of Health, the HA and the District Health Centres also provide and continue to enhance COVID-19 vaccination services for elderly people with a view to providing them with one-stop vaccination services. read more

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) announced that as of 0.00am, October 19, the CHP was investigating two additional confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), taking the number of cases to 12 302 in Hong Kong so far (comprising 12 301 confirmed cases and one probable case).

     The newly reported cases are imported cases and all involved mutant strains. The patients comprise a male and a female aged 51 and 3 respectively. One of them arrived in Hong Kong from Group A specified places (high-risk) and the other arrived from Group B specified places (medium-risk). Both patients tested positive during the “test-and-hold” arrangement upon arrival at the Temporary Specimen Collection Centre at Hong Kong International Airport.
 
     A total of 69 cases have been reported in the past 14 days (October 5 to 18) including a local case with unknown sources, while the rest are imported cases.

     According to the testing and quarantine arrangements for local COVID-19 cases with mutant strains, the CHP reminded people that persons who resided or worked within the same building as the residence of relevant cases will be subject to compulsory testing on days 3, 7, 12 and 19 following the announcement of the relevant confirmed cases by the DH. They will also be required to undergo self-monitoring until the 21st day. Relevant deadlines of compulsory testing for respective specified premises are listed on the Government’s website at www.coronavirus.gov.hk/pdf/CTN_Specified_premises_and_Dates_of_Testing.pdf.

     Specified persons in relation to the following specified premises are also reminded to undergo compulsory testing in accordance with the compulsory testing notice tomorrow (October 20):
 

• Tower 10, Phase 3 – The Graces, Providence Bay, Tai Po

     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 Government Property Agency is inviting tenders for a three-year licence of a fee-paying public car park on portions of the Ground Floor, Basement 1, Basement 2 and Basement 3 of Shatin Government Offices, 1 Sheung Wo Che Road, Shatin, New Territories.

     The premises should be used for the purpose of a fee-paying public car park for the parking of private cars and motorcycles only.

     The tender notice was uploaded today (October 19) to the Agency’s website: www.gpa.gov.hk. Tender documents are available for collection at the Government Property Agency, 9/F, South Tower, West Kowloon Government Offices, 11 Hoi Ting Road, Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon, during the period from 9am to 6pm from Mondays to Fridays, except public holidays. The documents can also be downloaded from the Agency’s website. 

     Interested tenderers who wish to attend a site inspection should make a prior appointment with the Government Property Agency by calling 3842 6777 on or before October 29 this year.

     Tenderers must submit their tenders by placing them in the Government Logistics Department Tender Box situated on the Ground Floor, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road, North Point, Hong Kong, before noon on November 9 this year. Late tenders will not be accepted.   read more