The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     Regarding an earlier announcement on Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) carrier cases, the spokesman for the Kowloon Hospital (KH) made the following update today (April 28):
     
     In accordance with the prevailing infection control guidelines, the hospital commenced contact tracing. Two more male in-patients (aged 87 and 88) in a medical extended care ward were confirmed as carriers of VRE. The 87-year-old patient has been discharged earlier, while the 88-year-old patient is being treated under isolation in KH with stable condition.
 
     The concerned ward has adopted the following enhanced infection control measures:
 

1. Thorough cleansing 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 of staff and patients.

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

     The Department of Health (DH) today (April 28) endorsed a licensed drug wholesaler, Hind Wing Co Ltd (Hind Wing), to recall a total of four batches of the following two products from the market as a precautionary measure due to the presence of an impurity in the products.
 

 
     The DH received notification from Hind Wing today that the overseas manufacturer of the products is initiating a voluntary recall of the above batches due to the presence of a higher than accepted level of an impurity, N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) in the affected batches. NDMA is classified as a probable human carcinogen based on results from laboratory tests. As a precautionary measure, Hind Wing is voluntarily recalling the affected products from the market. 
    
     The above products are prescription medicines used for the treatment of herpes simplex. According to Hind Wing, the products have been imported into Hong Kong and supplied to local doctors, pharmacies and DH clinics.
     
     Hind Wing has set up a hotline (2541 5731) to answer related enquiries.  
   
     "So far, the DH has not received any adverse reaction reports in connection with the products. The DH will closely monitor the recall," a spokesman for the DH said. 
     
     "Patients who are taking the above products should not stop taking the medicine, but should seek advice from their healthcare professionals as soon as possible for appropriate arrangements," the spokesman added.

  

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     As at 0.00am today (April 28), a total of 1 625 patients who tested positive for COVID-19 are currently being treated in the North Lantau Hospital Hong Kong Infection Control Centre, the Hospital Authority (HA) Infectious Disease Centre, the Treatment Centre for COVID-19 (AWE) and public hospitals. There were 243 patients who have recovered, including 165 patients who have been discharged. In addition, five patients who passed away in public hospitals were reported.
 
     In the fifth wave of the epidemic, there are 47 535 patients who have recovered so far, including 46 793 patients who have been discharged. And since early 2020, there are 59 915 patients who have recovered, including 59 173 patients who have been discharged.
 
     The HA 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 Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (April 28) announced the latest epidemic situation of COVID-19. As of 0.00am, April 28, the CHP was investigating 206 additional cases that tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus by nucleic acid tests (87 confirmed cases, 96 asymptomatic cases and 23 cases with pending case status) in the past 24 hours. Separately, 207 additional positive cases through rapid antigen tests (RATs) (102 symptomatic cases and 105 asymptomatic cases) were reported. Hong Kong has recorded a total of 758 155 and 445 326 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 24 imported cases (19 cases and five 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.

     Meanwhile, a whole genome sequencing analysis by the DH's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch confirmed that an imported case recorded earlier carried the newly emerged sub-lineage BA.5 under the Omicron mutant strain. The case involves a 40-year-old male who arrived from South Africa via Qatar on April 23 by flight QR818. He was asymptomatic and tested positive on arrival. He was transferred to a community isolation facility hotel. He had received two doses of COVID-19 vaccines (Comirnaty) in Hong Kong. An epidemiological investigation of the case is ongoing. Together with this case, Hong Kong has recorded a total of two cases involving the sub-lineage BA.5 and both are imported cases. No cases of that sub-lineage was found in the local community so far and the CHP will continue to closely monitor the latest developments.

     In addition, as of 0.00am, April 28, a total of 9 074 death cases that had tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus during the fifth wave (since December 31, 2021) were recorded, with 9 005 and 66 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 9 287 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 (April 27), the total number of confirmed cases was 330 401, while the figures for asymptomatic cases, re-positive cases and pending/unknown cases recorded since January 1 were 196 471, 10 and 231 067 respectively.

     As the passenger flight (AC007) operated by Air Canada arriving in Hong Kong from Vancouver, Canada, on April 27, had three passengers who tested positive upon arrival, the DH thus invoked the Prevention and Control of Disease (Regulation of Cross-boundary Conveyances and Travellers) Regulation (Cap. 599H) to prohibit the landing of passenger flights in Hong Kong from Vancouver operated by Air Canada from April 29 to May 5.

     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 (particularly religious or cross-family activities and gatherings). This would lower the risk of infection and prevent the virus from spreading in the community.

     â€‹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. Meanwhile, a person who gets COVID-19 and influenza at the same time may be more seriously ill and would have a higher risk of death. Influenza vaccination may reduce the likelihood of hospitalisation and the length of stay. In addition, seasonal influenza vaccination is recommended for all persons aged 6 months or above except those with known contraindications. Persons at higher risk of getting influenza and its complications, including the elderly and children, should receive seasonal influenza vaccination early. Please see details of the vaccination schemes on the CHP's website (www.chp.gov.hk/en/features/17980.html).

  

     â€‹The director of Shui Hang Construction Engineering Limited was prosecuted by the Labour Department (LD) for failing to pay wages and the sum awarded to an employee by the Labour Tribunal (LT) on time, contrary to the Employment Ordinance (EO). The director pleaded guilty at Tuen Mun Magistrates' Courts on March 3 and was fined $103,000 today (April 28).

     The company failed to pay the employee wages within seven days after the expiry of the wage periods as required by the EO and the total amount involved was about $127,000. The company also failed to pay the employee the sum of about $114,000 awarded by the LT within 14 days after the specified payment date set by the LT. The director of the company was prosecuted and convicted for his consent, connivance or neglect in the above offences.

     "The ruling will disseminate a strong message to all employers, directors and responsible officers of companies that they have personal liability to ensure payment of wages and sums awarded by the LT or the Minor Employment Claims Adjudication Board to employees within the statutory time limit stipulated in the EO," a spokesman for the LD said.

     "The LD will not tolerate these offences and will spare no effort in enforcing the law and safeguarding employees' statutory rights," the spokesman added.