The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (April 27) announced the latest epidemic situation of COVID-19. As of 0.00am, April 27, the CHP was investigating 222 additional cases that tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus by nucleic acid tests (74 confirmed cases, 94 asymptomatic cases and 54 cases with pending case status) in the past 24 hours. Separately, 208 additional positive cases through rapid antigen tests (RAT) (111 symptomatic cases and 97 asymptomatic cases) were reported. Hong Kong has recorded a total of 757 949 and 445 119 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 15 imported cases (11 cases and four cases tested positive by nucleic acid tests and RAT 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, April 27, a total of 9 069 death cases that had tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus during the fifth wave (since December 31, 2021) were recorded, with 9 000 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 9 282 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 26), the total number of confirmed cases was 329 424, while the figures for asymptomatic cases, re-positive cases and pending/unknown cases recorded since January 1 were 197 156, 10 and 231 137 respectively.

     As the passenger flight (TK083) operated by Turkish Airlines arriving in Hong Kong from Istanbul, Turkey, on April 26, had four 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 Istanbul operated by Turkish Airlines from April 28 to May 4.

     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€‹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).

  

     In light of positive test results for the COVID-19 virus from some sewage samples collected in Yau Tsim Mong, North District and Kwai Tsing, the Home Affairs Department (HAD) said today (April 27) that the Yau Tsim Mong District Office (YTMDO), the North District Office (NDO) and the Kwai Tsing District Office (K&TDO) will distribute a total of about 355 000 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.
 
     The NDO today also started to distribute rapid test kits to households, cleansing workers and property management staff living and working in Royal Green, Glorious Peak, 8 Royal Green, Sheung Shui Centre, Sunningdale Garden, Sheung Shui Town Centre, Woodland Crest, Regentville, Noble Hill, Good View New Village, Union Plaza, Fanling Town Center, Fanling Centre, Grand Regentville, Green Code, Metropolis Plaza, Belair Monte and Lung Fung Garden for voluntary testing through the property management companies.
 
     In addition, the K&TDO today started to distribute rapid test kits to households, cleansing workers and property management staff living and working in New Kwai Fong Gardens, Kwai Fong Terrace, Kwai Chung Plaza and residential premises around Shing Fong Street, Shek Yam Road and 402 to 482 Castle Peak Road – Kwai Chung for voluntary testing through the property management companies and the owners' corporations.
          
     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 about the way of using the rapid antigen test (RAT) kit.
          
     Persons tested 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.

      

     Two persons were sentenced by the Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts today (April 27) for violating the Compulsory Quarantine of Certain Persons Arriving at Hong Kong Regulation (Cap. 599C).
 
     The first case involved a man aged 60, who was earlier issued a compulsory quarantine order stating that he must conduct quarantine at home for 14 days. Before the expiry of the quarantine order, he left the place of quarantine on September 14, 2021, without reasonable excuse nor permission given by an authorised officer. He was charged with contravening sections 8(1) and 8(5) of the Regulation and was sentenced today to imprisonment for 14 days, suspended for 12 months and was fined $2,500.
 
     The second case involved a woman aged 46, who was earlier issued a compulsory quarantine order stating that she must conduct quarantine at home for seven days. Before the expiry of the quarantine order, she had left the place of quarantine on August 15, 2021, and taken off her wristband, without reasonable excuse nor permission given by an authorised officer. She was charged with two counts of contravening sections 8(1), 8(4) and 8(5) of the Regulation and was sentenced today to imprisonment for 14 days, suspended for 12 months for each of the two charges, with the sentences to run concurrently.
 
     Breaching a compulsory quarantine order is a criminal offence and offenders are subject to a maximum fine of $25,000 and imprisonment for six months. A spokesman for the Department of Health said the sentence sends a clear message to the community that breaching a quarantine order is a criminal offence that the Government will not tolerate, and solemnly reminded the public to comply with the regulations. As of today, a total of 225 persons have been convicted by the courts for breaching quarantine orders and have received sentences including immediate imprisonment for up to 14 weeks or a fine of up to $15,000. The spokesman reiterated that resolute actions will be taken against anyone who has breached the relevant regulations.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     Regarding an earlier announcement on a cluster of patients confirmed to be carriers of Multi-drug Resistant Acinetobacter (MDRA) in a medicine and geriatrics ward, the spokesperson for Pok Oi Hospital gave the following update today (April 27):
 
     In accordance with the prevailing guidelines, the hospital commenced contact tracing and confirmed three more female patients (aged 71 to 85) as carriers of MDRA. One of the patients has been discharged, and the other two patients are still hospitalised under isolation and are in stable condition.

     The following enhanced infection control measures have been implemented according to the established guidelines:
 

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

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

     The 2022 Chief Executive Election will be held on May 8. The Registration and Electoral Office (REO) has arranged, over the past few days, online and hands-on training sessions for electoral staff who will work in the main polling station and the central counting station. The training sessions aim to get them familiarised with details of the workflow and arrangements so that the election can be conducted smoothly.
 
     The main polling station of the election will be set up on 1/F, Phase 2, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), Wan Chai. Around 1 500 members of the Election Committee will vote in a confidential manner on a one-person, one-vote basis to return the next-term Chief Executive. After the close of the poll, the ballot boxes will be delivered to the central counting station located on 3/F, Phase 2, HKCEC, for manual counting by counting staff.
 
     On the polling day, staff from various departments will discharge electoral duties at different posts. A spokesman for the REO said today (April 27), "The REO held numerous virtual and hands-on training sessions over the past few days for staff who will work in the main polling station and central counting station. These sessions covered the set-up of the main polling station and its preparatory work; hands-on practice sessions on the Electronic Poll Register system; procedures of issuing ballot papers; sorting of ballot papers; points to note for counting of votes; procedures in handling questionable ballot papers, and responses in the event of contingencies.
 
     The REO will continue to arrange training sessions for electoral staff in the coming week to ensure a smooth workflow, accuracy and efficiency; enhance their co-ordination and response capabilities; and make comprehensive preparations for the Chief Executive Election.