The number of people who have received their first vaccine dose under the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme has exceeded 1 million, a Government spokesman announced today (May 5). The figure accounts for around 15 per cent of the population aged 16 or above and eligible to get vaccinated through the Vaccination Programme, which has been running for 69 days since February 26.
 
     The spokesman expressed gratitude to members of the public for their support for the Vaccination Programme and called on those who have not yet been vaccinated to do so as early as possible. "A high vaccination rate can lead us to resume economic and livelihood activities as soon as possible. In view of the threat posed by mutant strains, it is imperative for us to get vaccinated to protect ourselves and others," the spokesman said.
 
     "The Vaccination Programme has been expanded to cover all persons aged 16 or above. The minimum age for receiving the BioNTech vaccine is 16, and that for receiving the Sinovac vaccine is 18. Persons in the above age group can make reservations on the designated website of the Vaccination Programme (www.covidvaccine.gov.hk) for receiving vaccines at 29 Community Vaccination Centres and 21 general out-patient clinics of the Hospital Authority. They can also make appointments for vaccination with private doctors or clinics participating in the programme."
 
     So far, about 1 593 600 doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered for members of the public (please see Annex 1). Among them, about 1 005 400 persons have received their first dose, with about 457 800 persons receiving the Sinovac vaccine and about 547 700 persons receiving the BioNTech vaccine. About 588 100 persons have received their second dose, with about 327 700 persons receiving the Sinovac vaccine and about 260 500 persons receiving the BioNTech vaccine.
 
     In the last 24 hours ending at 8pm today, about 30 700 persons have received vaccination and about 16 300 new vaccination bookings have been made online, detailed as follows:
 
(i) About 5 600 persons received their first dose of the Sinovac vaccine, including about 2 600 persons vaccinated at Community Vaccination Centres (CVCs) and about 3 000 persons at private doctors and clinics participating in the programme;
 
(ii) about 2 900 persons received their second dose of the Sinovac vaccine, including about 1 800 persons vaccinated at CVCs and about 1 100 persons at private doctors and clinics;
 
(iii) about 10 000 persons received their first dose of the BioNTech vaccine at CVCs, and about 12 200 persons received their second dose of the BioNTech vaccine;
 
(iv) the overall percentage of people who have received the Sinovac vaccine at CVCs is about 96 per cent; while the overall percentage of people who have received the BioNTech vaccine at CVCs is about 97 per cent; and
 
(v) about 3 800 persons have made online bookings for receiving their first and second doses of the Sinovac vaccine, while about 12 500 persons have made online bookings for receiving their first and second doses of the BioNTech vaccine.
 
     In the last 24 hours ending at 0.00am today, there were nine cases of ambulance transfers to hospitals. Among them, six persons were discharged, two persons were admitted for observation and one person left the hospital without seeking any consultation (please see Annex 2).
 
     As background information, in the last 24 hours ending at 0.00am today, there were 39 cases of stroke or myocardial infarction that required admission to the Intensive Care Unit, Acute Stroke Unit and Cardiac Care Unit of public hospitals. The state of new cases admitted to the wards concerned is provided as a cross reference to enhance fuller public understanding of cases of the kind recorded on vaccine recipients.

     The Government will exercise the power under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Compulsory Testing for Certain Persons) Regulation (Cap. 599J) and publish in the Gazette a compulsory testing notice, which requires any person who had been present at 16 specified premises during the specified period (persons subject to compulsory testing) to undergo a COVID-19 nucleic acid test. Persons who have completed a COVID-19 vaccination course are not required to undergo compulsory testing.
 
     Upon further investigation by the Centre for Health Protection (CHP), the earlier confirmed local cases involving N501Y mutant strain and their close contacts had been present at three specified premises. Relevant persons are required to undergo compulsory testing.
 
     In addition, since there were outbreaks of upper respiratory tract infection and/or influenza-like illness in 13 schools, and the symptoms of the concerned diseases are similar to those of COVID-19, for prudence's sake, the 13 schools are also covered in the compulsory testing notice.

     Details of the compulsory testing notice are at Annex 1. Persons who have completed a COVID-19 vaccination course would be taken to have complied with the requirements set out in the compulsory testing notices.
 
     A spokesman for the Food and Health Bureau reminded the public that in accordance with the compulsory testing notice issued earlier, all household members of close contacts are required to undergo compulsory testing. Any person who had lived with a person placed under quarantine pursuant to section 22 of the Prevention and Control of Disease Regulation (Cap. 599A) (person under quarantine) in the same residential unit on the date of commencement of quarantine or during the 14 days before that day, and who becomes aware of the quarantine of the person under quarantine when the relevant quarantine has not yet been completed, has to undergo testing within two days of him or her becoming aware that the person under quarantine has been placed under quarantine and report to the Government the result of the test by phone (at 6275 6901), fax (at 2530 5872) or email (ct@csb.gov.hk) within three days of undergoing the test.
     
     The spokesman thanked the general public for their co-operation in undergoing compulsory testing for fighting the virus together.
 
     Specimens were collected for over 89 000 persons (including more than 38 000 foreign domestic helpers (FDHs)) yesterday (May 4) at community testing centres (CTCs) and mobile specimen collection stations. The spokesman said that compared with last weekend, usage was lower at CTCs and mobile specimen collection stations in the past two days, and waiting time was much shorter. FDHs who have yet to receive testing are appealed to receive testing soonest possible without waiting until the weekend.
 
     For FDHs who have yet to receive testing, they can still make use of the service provided at CTCs and mobile specimen collection stations in the coming few days. Currently, there are a total of 21 CTCs providing testing service for the public, including free service for persons subject to compulsory testing. The number of tests available for appointments at CTCs has been further increased to over 51 000 per day, and additional manpower has been deployed to serve the public. As of 6pm today (May 5), there are around 39 000 booking places available for the coming few days (May 6 to 9) at the 21 CTCs. Booking and walk-in services are available. Members of the public only need to provide simple personal information on the 24-hour booking system (www.communitytest.gov.hk/en). Booking status of centres for the coming week will be shown for public's selection of suitable testing centre and time slot for testing. The testing centres will accord priority to serve individuals with advance bookings. Members of the public may call the testing centres for enquiries on the availability of bookings or walk-in quotas before visiting the centres. The Government reminds FDHs who have made bookings to visit their selected centre at the booked time slot for testing, and employers may assist those who have yet to receive testing to book online book to utilise the remaining quotas.
 
     The Government will set up mobile specimen collection stations at the following locations to facilitate testing by FDHs:
 
• Outside Central Piers No.9 and No.10 (May 7 to 9)
• Mini-Soccer Pitch, Kowloon Park (near Exit C of MTR Jordan Station) (May 8 to 9)
 
     The Government will also extend the operating hours of the mobile specimen collection stations at Edinburgh Place in Central, Sai Ying Pun Community Complex and Tamar Park in Admiralty on May 8 to 9, and extend the service period of the station at Fu Tung Estate in Tung Chung to May 9. Coupled with the 21 CTCs, there will be a total of 53 CTCs/mobile specimen collection stations in various districts tomorrow (May 6) to provide free service for persons subject to compulsory testing (including FDHs), the testing capacity should be sufficient to meet the demand. The opening dates and operating hours of the mobile specimen collection stations in various districts providing free COVID-19 nucleic acid testing services for the general public are stated in Annex 2. Persons with "LeaveHomeSafe" COVID-19 exposure notification or SMS notification from the Centre for Health Protection reminding them to undergo testing as soon as possible may receive free testing at community testing centres or mobile specimen collection stations (if the service scope is applicable).

     Persons subject to compulsory testing may choose to undergo testing via the following routes:

1. To visit any of the mobile specimen collection stations (see the list and target groups (if applicable) at www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/early-testing.html) for testing;
2. To attend any of the community testing centres (see the list at www.communitytest.gov.hk/en);
3. To obtain a deep throat saliva specimen collection pack from any of the 121 post offices, vending machines set up at 20 MTR stations or 47 designated general outpatient clinics (GOPCs) of the Hospital Authority and return the specimen to one of the designated specimen collection points (see the distribution points and times, and the specimen collection points and times, at www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/early-testing.html);
4. To undergo testing at any of the GOPCs of the Hospital Authority as instructed by a medical professional of the Hospital Authority;
5. To self-arrange testing provided by private laboratories which are recognised by the Department of Health (DH) and can issue SMS notifications in respect of test results (see the list at www.coronavirus.gov.hk/pdf/List_of_recognised_laboratories_RTPCR.pdf); or
6.To use a specimen bottle distributed to the relevant specified premises by the CHP (if applicable), and return the specimen bottle with the sample collected as per relevant guidelines.

     The spokesman cautioned that testing received at Accident and Emergency Departments of the Hospital Authority or during hospital stays, or testing provided by private laboratories which cannot issue SMS notifications in respect of test results, does not comply with the requirements of the aforementioned compulsory testing notice.

     "If persons subject to compulsory testing have symptoms, they should seek medical attention immediately and undergo testing as instructed by a medical professional. They should not attend the mobile specimen collection stations or the community testing centres."

     Persons subject to compulsory testing must keep the SMS notification containing the result of the test for checking by a law enforcement officer when the officer requires the persons to provide information about their undergoing the specified test.

     Furthermore, persons subject to testing under the compulsory testing notices should, as far as reasonably practicable, take appropriate personal disease prevention measures including wearing a mask and maintaining hand hygiene, and, unless for the purpose of undergoing the specified test, stay at their place of residence and avoid going out until the test result is ascertained as far as possible.

     Any enquiries on compulsory testing arrangements may be addressed to the hotline at 6275 6901, which operates daily from 9am to 6pm. If persons subject to compulsory testing plan to conduct testing at any of the community testing centres, they can check the centre's appointment status in advance. The hotlines of the community testing centres are available at www.communitytest.gov.hk/en/info.

     The Government will continue to trace possibly infected persons who had been to the relevant premises, and seriously verify whether they had complied with the testing notices. Any person who fails to comply with the testing notices commits an offence and may be fined a fixed penalty of $5,000. The person would also be issued with a compulsory testing order requiring him or her to undergo testing within a specified time frame. Failure to comply with the order is an offence and the offender would be liable to a fine at level 4 ($25,000) and imprisonment for six months.

     Relevant officers of different government departments are empowered to perform certain functions under the relevant Regulations under the Prevention and Control of Disease Ordinance (Cap. 599), including requesting individuals to provide information and assistance when necessary. Any person who fails to comply with the relevant request commits an offence and would be liable to a fine at level 3 ($10,000). Collection and use of any personal data for conducting COVID-19 tests must meet the requirements under the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (Cap. 486). Government departments or testing service providers which handle the relevant information may provide the data to the DH or other relevant departments for anti-epidemic purposes as necessary. The workflow does not involve the provision of any personal data to organisations or persons outside Hong Kong.

     The spokesman said, "The Government urges all individuals who are in doubt about their own health conditions, or individuals with infection risks (such as individuals who visited places with epidemic outbreaks or contacted confirmed cases), to undergo testing promptly for early identification of infected persons."

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (May 5) said that it is following up on local cases involving N501Y mutant strain aiming at identifying the possible source of infection of the cases. With extensive contact tracing investigations by the Contact Tracing Office, the centre has confirmed further details of the itinerary of cases 11643 and 11672.
 
     The CHP's epidemiological investigation revealed that cases 11643 and 11672 attended a family gathering with relatives of case 11672 on April 13 at Fung Hing House of Hing Wah (II) Estate in Chai Wan. Subsequently, three of the attendees of that gathering had another gathering at their home at 37 Fuk Wing Street in Sham Shui Po, with cases 11773, 11793 and 11797 on April 18.
 
     In accordance with the latest information, the CHP has immediately arranged attendees of both gatherings to undergo compulsory quarantine.
 
     A Compulsory Testing Notice (CTN) will be issued to request people who stayed at 37 Fuk Wing Street in Sham Shui Po from April 15 to May 5 to undergo compulsory testing before May 7. A CTN regarding Fung Hing House of Hing Wah (II) Estate in Chai Wan was issued on May 3 due to result of sewage sample tests. People who have stayed in that building from April 20 to May 3 have to undergo testing by May 6 according to the CTN.
 
     CTNs will also be issued regarding the workplaces of two attendees of the above gathering (Urban Bakery Works at Shop 322, 3/F, Landmark Atrium and Oliver's the Delicatessen at Shop 201-2, 2/F, Landmark Prince's). People who had been present at the two places from April 15 to May 5 have to undergo testing by May 7.
 
     In view of the latest epidemiological investigation, the CHP has updated the classification of cases 11773 and 11793 from local case to epidemiologically linked with local case.
 
     The CHP's epidemiological investigations on the confirmed cases are ongoing and close contacts identified will be put under compulsory quarantine.
 
     Meanwhile, the CHP reminded those who had visited specified venues under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Compulsory Testing for Certain Persons) Regulation (Cap. 599J) to receive COVID-19 nucleic acid testing according to the compulsory testing notice. The Regulation also requires all household members of close contacts of confirmed cases to undergo a COVID-19 nucleic acid test within a specified period according to compulsory testing notices published in the Gazette. The public are also urged to seek medical attention early if symptoms develop and undergo testing as soon as possible.
 
     The CHP said that in view of the threat posed by the mutant strain, it is imperative for people to get vaccinated. As the Government has launched the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme, the CHP appeals to members of the public to get vaccinated as early as possible to protect themselves and others. Details of the programme can be found at the designated website (www.covidvaccine.gov.hk).

     Police today (May 5) appealed to the public for information on a woman who went missing in Kwai Chung.

     Cheung Ho-yi, aged 35, went missing after she was last seen at a shopping centre on Lai King Hill Road yesterday (May 4) afternoon. Staff of her caring home made a report to Police on the same day.

     She is about 1.6 metres tall, 60 kilograms in weight and of thin build. She has a long face with yellow complexion and long black hair. She was last seen wearing a pink shirt, a pink jacket, white shorts and purple sports shoes.

     Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing woman or may have seen her is urged to contact the Regional Missing Person Unit of New Territories South on 3661 1176, 5467 8695 or email to rmpu-nts-2@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.

  

     Mainland-based Fargo Wealth Group Limited announced today (May 5) that it has opened a multi-family office club, Fargo Space, providing high-net-worth (HNW) and external asset manager (EAM) clients in Hong Kong with a premium working and leisure space with one-stop shop service for various business needs.
      
     Fargo Space is located in downtown Tsim Sha Tsui in premises covering an area of over 12,000 square feet with a splendid 180-degree view of Victoria Harbour. Apart from meeting rooms of different sizes and facilities, the club also has four lockable offices that meet the criteria of the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong for getting an asset management licence. It is breaking the traditional rigidity and also provides a comfortable leisure venue with a wine-tasting VIP room, a coffee bar, a distinctive Chinese tearoom, a gym and two private relaxation rooms.
      
     The Founder and CEO of Fargo Wealth, Mr Jefferson Sun, said, "Fargo Wealth has for years dedicated its professionalism to Chinese HNW clients. To cope with growing demand for high-quality offices and conference services in the region, we spent more than $20 million to set up Fargo Space in Hong Kong, offering a new office concept to the wealth management services sector."
      
     He added, "Fargo Space is our first EAM incubator and co-working space in Asia. We hope to use it to target new-economy families and young family office management talents, and build a large ecosystem integrating shared space, finance, customisation, social networking and technology to realise mutual sharing and co-operation within the industry. At the same time, it will enhance communication and resource sharing, provide a better interactive experience and develop a better channel to shift resources between new and traditional financial services."
      
     Mr Sun said the group chose Hong Kong as its first stop to position itself as an incubator services provider targeting the wealth management services sector in Asia. Hong Kong is a leading global wealth management hub and is home to a well-established private wealth management industry that has deep experience in serving HNW individuals from China and the rest of Asia.
      
     The Director-General of Investment Promotion, Mr Stephen Phillips, welcomed the opening of Fargo Space in Hong Kong. He said, "I am very happy to see the luxurious and cosy Fargo Space up and running. It is such a novel creative concept that has been thought out with customer needs in mind. The fact that Fargo Wealth is choosing Hong Kong as its base to serve family office clients and the opening of this innovative family office club is a showcase of Hong Kong's importance in the family office industry in Asia."
      
About Fargo Space
      
     Fargo Space is Asia's first fully integrated family office equipped with co-working space, a sophisticated innovative work model that stands out in the traditional wealth management area. It offers different sizes of meeting rooms with different themes catering to the specific needs of its clients. It also provides various support services to private bankers, EAM clients and family offices to enable a one-stop shop concierge service, including a company secretarial service and a professional team for business contracts and various license applications. For more information, please visit www.fargospace.com.hk.
       
About Invest Hong Kong
          
     Invest Hong Kong is the department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government responsible for attracting foreign direct investment and supporting overseas and Mainland businesses to set up or expand in Hong Kong. It provides free advice and customised services for overseas and Mainland companies. For more information, please visit www.investhk.gov.hk.
      
     For photos, please visit www.flickr.com/photos/investhk/albums/72157719102484801.