The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     Regarding an earlier announcement on a cluster of patients confirmed to be carriers of Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE), the spokesman for Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) made the following update today (July 3):

     In accordance with the prevailing infection control guidelines, the hospital has commenced contact tracing and identified four more male patients (aged 65 to 91) to be VRE carriers without clinical symptoms. The patients are being treated under isolation in PMH and in stable condition.

     The hospital infection control team has followed up with the departments concerned and the Centre for Health Protection. The following enhanced infection control measures have already been adopted in the ward:

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

     The hospital will continue to 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.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesman for North Lantau Hospital Hong Kong Infection Control Centre (HKICC) made the following announcement today (July 3) concerning an isolation ward negative pressure system alarm activated incident:

     At 8pm yesterday (July 2), the negative pressure system alarm of an isolation ward located at the first floor of the HKICC Block E was activated. The HKICC immediately arranged maintenance staff to investigate, who discovered that the alarm was triggered by a malfunctioned display system. It was confirmed that the negative pressure had all along been functioning normally, while no additional infection risk was caused. A patient was transferred to another cubicle during the incident so as to facilitate service contractor to repair the display system.

     HKICC has reported the incident to the Hospital Authority Head Office via the Advance Incident Reporting System.

     Correctional officers at Tai Tam Gap Correctional Institution stopped a fight among detainees today (July 3).

     At 9.54am today, four detainees aged between 28 and 45 engaged in a fight inside a dayroom. Officers immediately stopped the fight. OC foam was used to subdue the detainees after warnings were given in vain.

     During the incident, three detainees sustained injuries to their hands, face, neck, etc. respectively. They did not need to be sent to a public hospital after receiving medical examination and treatment provided by the institution Medical Officer. Another detainee did not sustain any injury.

     The case has been reported to the Police for investigation.

     The four detainees are detained under the Immigration Ordinance.

     The Home Affairs Department will open 19 temporary night heat shelters tonight (July 3) for people in need of the service.
      
     The shelters will be open from 10.30pm until 8am tomorrow.
      
     For further information, please call the department's hotline before midnight on 2572 8427.
      
     The 19 night heat shelters are located at:
      
Hong Kong Districts:
———————
 
Central and Western –
Sai Ying Pun Community Complex Community Hall
3/F, Sai Ying Pun Community Complex
2 High Street, Sai Ying Pun
 
Eastern –
Causeway Bay Community Centre
3/F, 7 Fook Yum Road, Causeway Bay
 
Southern –
Wah Kwai Community Centre
Wah Kwai Estate, Kellett Bay
 
Wan Chai –
Wan Chai Activities Centre
LG/F, Wan Chai Market, 258 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai
 
Kowloon Districts:
——————
 
Kowloon City –
Hung Hom Community Hall
1/F, Kowloon City Government Offices
42 Bailey Street, Hung Hom
 
Kwun Tong –
Lam Tin (West) Estate Community Centre
71 Kai Tin Road, Lam Tin
 
Sham Shui Po –
Shek Kip Mei Community Hall
G/F, Block 42, Shek Kip Mei Estate, Sham Shui Po
 
Wong Tai Sin –
Tsz Wan Shan (South) Estate Community Centre
45 Wan Wah Street, Tsz Wan Shan
 
Yau Tsim Mong –
Henry G Leong Yaumatei Community Centre
60 Public Square Street, Yau Ma Tei
 
New Territories Districts:
————————–
 
Islands –
Tung Chung North Park (Zone B) Activity Room
29 Man Tung Road, Tung Chung 

Kwai Tsing –
Kwai Shing Community Hall
Podium, Block 6, Kwai Shing West Estate, Kwai Chung
 
North –
Cheung Wah Community Hall
Cheung Wah Estate, Fanling
 
Sai Kung –
King Lam Neighbourhood Community Centre
King Lam Estate, Tseung Kwan O 

Sha Tin –
Lung Hang Estate Community Centre
Lung Hang Estate, Sha Tin 

Tai Po –
Tai Po Community Centre
2 Heung Sze Wui Street, Tai Po
 
Tsuen Wan –
Lei Muk Shue Community Hall
G/F, Hong Shue House, Lei Muk Shue Estate, Tsuen Wan 

Tuen Mun –
Butterfly Bay Community Centre
Butterfly Estate (near Tip Sum House), Tuen Mun
 
Yuen Long –
Long Ping Community Hall
Long Ping Estate, Yuen Long
 
Yuen Long –
Tin Yiu Community Centre
Tin Yiu Estate, Tin Shui Wai

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     As at 9am today (July 3), one COVID-19 confirmed patient (case number: 11888) was discharged from hospital in the last 24 hours. So far, a total of 11 634 patients with confirmed or probable infection have been discharged.
      
     At present, there are 619 negative pressure rooms in public hospitals with 1 113 negative pressure beds activated. A total of 60 confirmed patients are currently hospitalised in 13 public hospitals and the North Lantau Hospital Hong Kong Infection Control Centre, among which one patient (case number: 6794) is in critical condition, one (case number: 9907) is in serious condition and the remaining 58 patients are in stable condition.
      
     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.