The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     Regarding an earlier announcement on Candida auris carrier cases in Kowloon West Cluster, the spokesperson for Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) gave the following update today (September 15):
      
     According to the contact tracing result, three more patients (two female and one male, aged 52 to 69) of a neurosurgical ward have been confirmed as Candida auris carriers while not having signs of infection. The three patients are treated under isolation with stable condition. In accordance with the prevailing guidelines, PMH has continued contact tracing for the patients. The following enhanced infection control measures have already been adopted:
      
     1. Thorough cleaning and disinfection of the wards concerned;  
     2. Enhanced patient and environmental screening procedures; and
     3. Application of stringent contact precautions and enhanced hand hygiene for staff and patients.
      
     The hospital will continue to closely monitor the situation of the patients. The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.

     Two persons were sentenced to immediate imprisonment for up to four weeks by magistrates' courts today (September 15) for violating the Compulsory Quarantine of Certain Persons Arriving at Hong Kong Regulation (Cap 599C) and the Compulsory Quarantine of Persons Arriving at Hong Kong from Foreign Places Regulation (Cap 599E).

     The first case involved a woman aged 24, who was earlier issued a compulsory quarantine order stating that she must conduct quarantine at a hotel for 14 days. Before the expiry of the quarantine order, she was found to have left the place of quarantine on April 16 without reasonable excuse nor permission given by an authorised officer. She was charged with contravening sections 8(1) and 8(5) of the Compulsory Quarantine of Certain Persons Arriving at Hong Kong Regulation (Cap 599C) and was sentenced by the Eastern Magistrates' Courts today to immediate imprisonment for four weeks.

     The second case involved a man aged 39, 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 was found to have left the place of quarantine on March 19 and 20 without reasonable excuse nor permission given by an authorised officer. He was charged with two counts of contravening sections 8(1) and 8(5) of the Compulsory Quarantine of Persons Arriving at Hong Kong from Foreign Places Regulation (Cap 599E) and was sentenced by the Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts today to immediate imprisonment for 21 days for each of the two charges, which are to run concurrently.
 
     Pursuant to the Compulsory Quarantine of Certain Persons Arriving at Hong Kong Regulation (Cap 599C) starting from February 8, save for exempted persons, all persons who have stayed in the Mainland, Macao or Taiwan in the 14 days preceding arrival in Hong Kong, regardless of their nationality or travel documents, will be subject to compulsory quarantine for 14 days. Moreover, pursuant to the Compulsory Quarantine of Persons Arriving at Hong Kong from Foreign Places Regulation (Cap 599E), starting from March 19, all persons arriving from countries or territories outside China would also be subject to compulsory quarantine for 14 days. Breaching a 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 compulsory quarantine order is a criminal offence that the Government will not tolerate, and solemnly reminded the public to comply with the Regulation. As of today, a total of 43 persons have been convicted by the courts for breaching compulsory quarantine orders and have received sentences including immediate imprisonment for up to three months or a fine of $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 Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
 
     HKMC Insurance Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Hong Kong Mortgage Corporation Limited, today (September 15) announced that, in order to further alleviate the cash flow pressure of small and medium-sized enterprises, the maximum amount of loan per enterprise under the Special 100% Loan Guarantee of the SME Financing Guarantee Scheme (SFGS) is raised from the total amount of employee wages and rents (note) for six months to that for 12 months, or HK$5 million (originally HK$4 million), whichever is lower. The total guarantee commitment is raised from HK$50 billion to HK$70 billion. Meanwhile, the maximum repayment period of the guaranteed loans is increased from three years to five years. Borrowers with existing loans under the Special 100% Loan Guarantee can apply to their lending banks for increasing the loan amount and/or extending the repayment period if they deem appropriate, and in general no additional supporting documents will be required. The enhanced scheme will start receiving applications from this Friday (September 18).
      
     For public enquiries, please call the SFGS Hotline at 2536 0392.

Note: If an enterprise does not have either employee(s) or rented office(s), the calculation can be replaced by half of the maximum monthly net income in 2019.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     As at 9am today (September 15), 11 COVID-19 confirmed patients were discharged from hospital in the last 24 hours. So far, a total of 4 646 patients with confirmed or probable infection have been discharged.
 
     At present, there are 661 negative pressure rooms in public hospitals with 1 171 negative pressure beds activated. A total of 197 confirmed patients are currently hospitalised in 18 public hospitals and a community treatment facility, among which 18 patients are in critical condition, nine are in serious condition and the remaining 170 patients are in stable condition.
 
     In addition, a 69-year-old male patient (case number: 2968) confirmed with COVID-19 infection passed away in Tuen Mun Hospital (TMH) today. The patient with chronic illness was admitted to the Accident and Emergency Department of Pok Oi Hospital on July 30 due to fever. He was later transferred to TMH for treatment. Including this patient, 101 COVID-19 patients have passed away in public hospitals so far.
 
     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. 
 
     Details of the above-mentioned patients are as follows:
 

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority: 
 
     The Ministry of Finance will issue Renminbi Sovereign Bonds through the Central Moneymarkets Unit of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA). Please find attached the tender notice and the tender information memorandum of the Renminbi Sovereign Bonds to be issued by the Ministry of Finance. Please also find attached the tender-related information provided by the Issuing and Lodging Agent through the HKMA.