The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (May 3) announced the latest epidemic situation of COVID-19. As of 0.00am, May 3, the CHP was investigating 132 additional cases that tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus by nucleic acid tests (43 confirmed cases, 82 asymptomatic cases and seven cases with pending case status) in the past 24 hours. Separately, 158 additional positive cases through rapid antigen tests (RATs) (75 symptomatic cases and 83 asymptomatic cases) were reported. Hong Kong has recorded a total of 758 912 and 446 171 cases that have tested positive by nucleic acid tests and RATs respectively for the SARS-CoV-2 virus so far.
 
     The aforementioned newly reported cases consist of 21 imported cases (17 cases and four cases tested positive by nucleic acid tests and RATs respectively). The CHP is continuing with epidemiological investigations on the cases. Please refer to the "COVID-19 Thematic Website" (www.coronavirus.gov.hk) for more information.
  
     In addition, as of 0.00am, May 3, a total of 9 112 death cases that had tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus during the fifth wave (since December 31, 2021) were recorded, with 9 038 and 71 deaths reported from the Hospital Authority and public mortuaries respectively as well as three deaths reported from the Chinese University of Hong Kong Medical Centre. Hong Kong has so far recorded a total of 9 325 death cases that have tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
 
     Furthermore, among the earlier cases by nucleic acid tests reported, there were cases (including pending cases) changed to confirmed, asymptomatic or re-positive cases. As at yesterday (May 2), the total number of confirmed cases was 330 837, while the figures for asymptomatic cases, re-positive cases and pending/unknown cases recorded since January 1 were 197 031, 22 and 230 890 respectively.

     The spokesman for the CHP stressed that as the local situation of COVID-19 infection is still severe, the CHP strongly appeals to the community to continue to comply with social distancing measures, avoid going out and refrain from participating in unnecessary or crowded activities or gatherings. This would lower the risk of infection and prevent the virus from spreading in the community.
 
     The spokesman reminded 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 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 Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (May 3) that a sample of fried rice was found to contain an excessive amount of Bacillus cereus. The CFS is following up on the case.

     "The CFS collected the above-mentioned fried rice sample from a restaurant in Tsuen Wan for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that the sample contained Bacillus cereus at a level of 1.5 million per gram. According to the Microbiological Guidelines for Food, if ready-to-eat food contains Bacillus cereus at a level of more than 100,000 per gram, it is considered unsatisfactory," a CFS spokesman said.

     The CFS has informed the restaurant concerned of the above irregularity and instructed it to suspend the sale of the food concerned. The CFS has also inspected the food premises, provided health education on food safety and hygiene to the person-in-charge and staff of the restaurant, and requested it to review and improve the food production process and carry out thorough cleaning and disinfection.

     According to Section 54 of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap 132), all food available for sale in Hong Kong, locally produced or imported, should be fit for human consumption. An offender is subject to a maximum fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for six months upon conviction.

     "Bacillus cereus is commonly found in the environment. Unhygienic conditions in food processing and storage may give rise to its growth. Consuming food contaminated with excessive Bacillus cereus or its heat-stable toxins may cause gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting and diarrhoea," the spokesman said.

     â€‹The CFS will continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action to safeguard food safety and public health.

     â€‹In light of positive test results for the COVID-19 virus from some sewage samples collected in Tuen Mun, Sai Kung, Sham Shui Po, Tsuen Wan, Yuen Long, Yau Tsim Mong and Kwun Tong, the Home Affairs Department (HAD) said today (May 3) that the Tuen Mun District Office (TMDO), the Sai Kung District Office (SKDO), the Sham Shui Po District Office (SSPDO), the Tsuen Wan District Office (TWDO), the Yuen Long District Office (YLDO), the Yau Tsim Mong District Office (YTMDO) and the Kwun Tong District Office (KTDO) have distributed a total of about 394 000 COVID-19 rapid test kits to households, cleansing workers and property management staff living and working in the districts.
 
     The TMDO and the SKDO distributed rapid test kits to households, cleansing workers and property management staff living and working in Chelsea Heights in Tuen Mun District and King Ming Court, Well On Garden, Finery Park, Radiant Towers and Po Lam Estate in Sai Kung District for voluntary testing through the property management companies.
 
     The SSPDO, the TWDO and the YLDO distributed rapid test kits to households, cleansing workers and property management staff living and working in Dynasty Heights and Beacon Heights in Sham Shui Po District, Bayview Garden, Serenade Cove, Phase 1 – 3 of Belvedere Garden and Greenview Court in Tsuen Wan District and Long Ping Estate in Yuen Long District for voluntary testing through the property management companies.
 
     The YTMDO also distributed rapid test kits to households, cleansing workers and property management staff living and working in Man Cheong Building, Man King Building, Man Yiu Building, Man Yuen Building, Man Ying Building, Man Wah Building, Man Wai Building, Man Fai Building, Chungking Mansions, Hankow Centre, Tsim Sha Tsui Mansion, Far East Mansion, Mirador Mansion, Hai Phong Mansion and Harilela Mansion for voluntary testing through the property management companies and the owners' corporations.
 
     In addition, the KTDO started to distribute rapid test kits to households, cleansing workers and property management staff living and working in Hong Pak Court, Hing Tin Estate, Hong Wah Court and Hong Nga Court for voluntary testing through the property management companies.
 
     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.

              

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for Kowloon Hospital made the following announcement today (May 3):
           
     An 84-year-old in-patient in a male rehabilitation ward was confirmed as carrying Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) on April 23. In accordance with the prevailing infection control guidelines, the hospital commenced contact tracing. Eight more male patients (aged 37 to 90) staying in the same ward were confirmed to be VRE carriers. One of the patients was transferred to Queen Elizabeth Hospital for further treatment. The patients concerned are being treated under isolation in the hospitals with stable condition.
      
     The ward concerned has adopted the following enhanced infection control measures:
 

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

 
     The hospital will continue the enhanced infection control measures and closely monitor the situation of the ward. The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.

     Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Mr Frank Chan Fan, on the commissioning of the East Rail Line cross-harbour extension at a media session today (May 3):
 
Reporter: A few questions. First, how much of a surge in passengers is the MTR expecting after the extension is opened given that the train will now be operating with nine carriages instead of 12? Will it overburden the East Rail Line? The second is why is the (MTR) Corporation confident that the harbour-crossing extension can open earlier than the target date that was set in June or July this year? Should people be worried about possible glitches in the route given what we've seen previously in the construction projects? And lastly, how will authorities address the pricing differences as mentioned just now? Thank you.
 
Secretary for Transport and Housing: Thank you. First and foremost, we have to realise that for any train, new or old, should they be put into operation, they must be sound and safe. By sound and safe, we mean that all the systems involved in the operation, including the signaling system, the operating system, all electrical and mechanical service systems, the permanent way and everything of it would be safe and sound. Safe in the sense of the approval, investigation and supervision by the authorities, by the Fire Services Department, the Environmental Protection Department, the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department and also the Highways Department. They are under very close scrutiny and examination before they were allowed to start operation. I am sure that Hong Kong's railway is one of the best across the globe. There's no doubt that we have confidence that the new cross-harbour extension will operate very smoothly in due course.
 
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)