The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     As at 9am today (November 6), one COVID-19 confirmed patient (case number: 6646) was discharged from hospital in the last 24 hours. So far, a total of 12 036 patients with confirmed or probable infection have been discharged.
     
     At present, there are 594 negative pressure rooms in public hospitals with 1 060 negative pressure beds activated. A total of 76 confirmed patients are currently hospitalised in eight public hospitals and the North Lantau Hospital Hong Kong Infection Control Centre and all of them 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.
 

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) announced that as of 0.00am, November 6, the CHP was investigating seven additional confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), taking the number of cases to 12 368 in Hong Kong so far (comprising 12 367 confirmed cases and one probable case).

     The newly reported cases are imported cases. Five of the cases involved mutant strains while the viral loads of the remaining two cases are insufficient for mutation tests. The patients comprise two males and five females, aged between 11 months to 62 years. All of them arrived in Hong Kong from Group A specified places (high-risk). Case 12367 is a close contact of imported cases confirmed previously (case 12338 and 12339) and she tested positive at the Penny's Bay Quarantine Centre. Four patients tested positive during quarantine and the remaining two tested positive during the "test-and-hold" arrangement upon arrival at the Temporary Specimen Collection Centre at Hong Kong International Airport.

     A total of 47 cases have been reported in the past 14 days (October 23 to November 5) and all of them 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 (November 7):

• Graceful Mansion (Block H2), Siena Two, Discovery Bay

     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.

     â€‹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.

     A total of 16 nomination forms for the 2021 Legislative Council General Election were received today (November 6) by the Returning Officers for the 10 geographical constituencies, the 28 functional constituencies and the Election Committee constituency.

     This brings to 97 the total number of nomination forms received since the start of the nomination period on October 30. The nomination period will continue until November 12.

     The number of nomination forms received for each geographical constituency is as follows:
 

 
     The number of nomination forms received for each functional constituency is as follows:
 

 
     The number of nomination forms received today for the Election Committee constituency is 11 and the cumulative total number is 39.
 
     Particulars of the nominees received today will be uploaded to the election website (www.elections.gov.hk).

     Fu Hong Society has been issued a Public Subscription Permit to hold a territory-wide flag sale from 7am to 12.30pm today (November 6), a spokesman for the Social Welfare Department (SWD) said. 
 
     Details of the charitable fund-raising activities, including any updated information, covered by the issued Public Subscription Permit have been published on the GovHK website (www.gov.hk/en/theme/fundraising/search). Permits for flag days containing information on contact methods of the flag-selling organisations and the approved flag-selling activities have also been uploaded to the SWD's website (www.swd.gov.hk/en/index/site_pubsvc/page_controlofc/sub_flagdays) for reference. For enquiries, please call the SWD's hotline at 2343 2255, or the designated hotline of the 1823 Call Centre at 3142 2678.
 
     In the case of suspected fraudulent flag day activities, people should not make any donation and should immediately report the matter to the Police, the spokesman added.

     â€‹In response to media enquiries, a spokesman for the Security Bureau said today (November 5) that the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, has undergone a minor surgery at a hospital due to inflammation in an injured elbow. His work has not been affected.